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OlH<=»rv Irmrnal 




BASE BALL FIELD. 



THE 

Art of FieldinG; 

WITH A CHAPTER ON 

BASE RUNNING. 



CONTAINING 

SPECIAL ARTICLES ON BATTERY WORK IN FIELDING. THE 
PITCHER AND CATCHER AS FIELDERS. THE INFIELD. 
FIRST-BASE PLAY. THE SECOND BASEMAN's WORK. 
THIRD BASE PLAY. SHORT FIELDING. THE OUT- 
FIELDER'S WORK. BACKING-UP. THROWING 
TO FIRST BASE. THE CAPTAIN OF THE 
NINE. HOW TO CAPTAIN A TEAM. 

BASE RUNNING; 

POINTS OF PLAY IN RUNNING BASES. THE RULES FOR 
BASE RUNNING, ETC. 



BY 

HEISTKY CHADWICK. 




A. G. SPALDING & BEOS., 

CIJIGAGO AND NEW YORK, 



Entered According to Act of Congress in the Year 1S85 

— BY — 

A. G. SPALDING & BROS., 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C. 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



Skillful fielding is by all odds the most attractive 
feature of the national game. It is something all 
can appreciate and understand. While scientific bat- 
ting is only appreciable by those who fully under- 
stand the difficulties attendant upon it, fine play in 
the field can be enjoyed by every spectator, its beauties 
being as plainly apparent as is the characteristic blun- 
dering in the field of a mere novice in the art. In 
batting, however, while the great majority fully enjoy 
the dashing, splurgy, long-hit ball which yields a 
home run, it is only the minority who have sufficient 
knowledge of the "points" in the game to appreciate 
the scientific work of "facing for position," "timing 
the swing of the bat," "observing good form," and 
other like points in team-work at the bat. But in 
fielding, every one in the general crowd of spectators 
knows when a fine "pick-up" of a hot grounder is 
made; or when a hot "liner" is handsomely caught 
on the fly; or a short high ball is held after a long 
run in for it from the outer field ; or when an appar- 
ently safe hit to right field is changed into an out at 
first base by the active fielding and quick accurate 
throwing in of the ball to the first baseman by the 

(5) 



6 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



right-fielder. Then, too, the briUiant catching o the 
swift curved Hne balls from the pitcher by the catcher, 
and the splendid throwing of the latter to the bases; 
all these features of sharp and skillful fielding are 
evidences of good work which the veriest novice in 
the crowd can understand and appreciate. Hence it 
is that fielding is at once the most brilliant and at- 
tractive feature of base-ball. 

There is no department of the game, however, 
which requires more attention in the way of training 
to excel in it, than fielding does. A good fielder must 
be lithe of limb and with every muscle trained for 
active work in jumping, running, stooping, throwing, 
and, in fact, in every muscular movement which good 
practice in a gymnasium develops to advantage. In 
other words, a first-class fielder in base-ball must be 
a well-trained athlete. In no other field game of 
ball is fielding skill so essential to success as in the 
game of base-ball. In cricket a player may be valu- 
able both as a bowler and batsman, and yet be but 
an indifferent fielder. In lacrosse, if the player is a 
swift sprint- runner his ability in other departments 
is regarded as of secondary importance; while, in 
football, daring pluck and wrestling powers are the 
most important elements in giving him the suprem- 
acy in the game. But in base ball, if the player fails 
to excel as a fielder his value as a member of the 
team depreciates fifty per cent. In fact, in no posi_ 
tion in the game can a base ball player excel to an 
extent sufficient to make him useful unless he is fully 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



7 



up to the required mark in fielding skill. Then, too, 
it should be borne in mind that it is fielding that 
is the chief element of success in winning games. 
Given a first rate "battery" in a team, and half its 
value is lost unless it be backed up by first-class field- 
ing support. And the team may be noted for having 
two-thirds of the nine remarkably effective in hand- 
ling the ash, and yet if they are below the mark in 
fielding skill nearly all the advantage they derive 
from their good batting will be lost. In every sea- 
son's campaign in the professional championship 
arena, has the winning team taken the lead in field- 
ing. This was especially noticeable in the League 
and American campaigns of 1884, tlie Providence 
and Metropolitan teams leading in the club fielding 
averages; while at the bat the Chicago team — fifth 
in the pennant race — led at the bat in the League 
campaign, and the Athletics — sixth in the champion- 
ship contest — took the lead at the bat in the Ameri- 
can. We have all along contended that it is fielding 
that wins matches in the long run, and a correct 
analysis of each season's play fully proves the fact. 

FIELDING VS. BATTING. 

To sum up our case of fielding vs. batting, we have 
to say that skill in fielding always has been and 
always will be the most attractive feature of base 
ball. One reason for this lies in the fact that to excel 
in fielding one must train for it; you cannot become 
an expert fielder except by practice. Besides this. 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



there are certain qualities a man must possess before 
he can go into field-training with any hope of attain- 
ing proficiency — he must be able to throw well, as 
regards both distance and acciu'acy ; he requires pluck 
to face hard-hit balls; the judgment to know what 
to do with them when he fields them; the quickness 
of perception and the nerve to act promptly in criti- 
cal emergencies; and the endurance to stand the||^ 
fatigue of the work in the most important of the sev- 
eral field positions. Now, in batting, the veriest 
novice can with straight pitching hit a long ball tc^f 
the outfield; all that is required is plenty of muscle 
and a good eye. Of course, practice will make him 
hit with more accuracy, but nevertheless he can hit 
the ball without practice; but no novice can go into 
the field and handle the ball properly. Here practice 
is needed before any degree of proficiency is reached, 
no matter how physically capable a man may be to 
excel in the field. As between batting and fielding^j 
too, in which both the batsman and the fielder are 
practiced experts, there is far more attraction to the 
looker-on in seeing a fielder pick up a ''hot grounder" 
handsomely, throw it accurately to the baseman, ^^^^^j 
to see it well held by the latter in time to put the 
base-runner out, than is possible from the mere act . 
of hitting the ball to the field. The only attractiveSf 
feature of batting, in reality, is when the batsman is 
faced by a strategic pitcher, and the former outwits 
the latter, and secures an unquestioned base-hit, de 
spite the best of pitching and the sharpest of fielding 



1 



lO 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



But as this is rather exceptional work in batting, 
while sharp fielding is the general rule in the field, 
the fielding naturally presents the most attractions to 
those of the spectators who are capable of judging of 
the true merits of the game. 

Fielding has- made rapid strides toward perfection 
within the past decade, and especially within a year 
or two. There is more system about it than there 
used to be. Last year, for instance, saw more of 

that special element of success in fielding good 

"backing-up" — exhibited, than ever before. There 
was more "playing for the side" in the fielding of 
1884 than in any previous season's work; and this 
important matter, too, is far more frequently seen in 
fielding than in batting. In batting, the rule is to 
play for one's individual record, because playing for 
the side is more self-sacrificing in batting than in 
fielding. In fielding, you really help your record 
more by playing for the side than for a special record; 
hence, "playing for the side" is necessarily more prac- 
ticed in handling the ball than in wielding the bat. 

CHANGING POSITIONS IN FIELDING. 

One of the greatest mistakes a player can make is 
to leave a position he has learned to excel in, in order 
to attempt to excel in another. It requires years of 
practice in base-play to become familiar with all the 
points of any one of the three positions — all three 
having their peculiar characteristics, diflfering mate- 
rially from each other — and for a man who for years 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



II 



has been playing in one position, and who, in that 
position, has got eveiy thing down to a spot, to go to 
another one and attempt to equal his play in the one 
he has left, is something one player out of a hundred 
cannot do. Certain men take to certain positions in 
the game of base ball naturally, as Creighton took to 
pitching; and some take to base-play more readily 
than to outfielding or catching or pitching, and when 
a man has found his place he is unwise to leave it to 
seek new laurels in another position. 

There are three special departments of a base ball 
team, viz. : the "battery" players — the pitcher and 
catcher; the infielders, viz., the three basemen and 
the short-stop; and the outfielders, viz., the left, cen- 
ter and right fielders; and in commenting on the 
essentials of success required in each, and also on the 
points of play peculiar to each individual position, we 
shall begin with the "battery" players; and in refer- 
ring to these players we shall only comment on that 
part of their duties directly connected with their field- 
ing skill in their respective positions, those of the 
pitcher consisting of his ability to field and catch 
balls from the bat, and to throw^ them accurately to 
the bases; while those of the catcher are comprised 
in the success of his eflforts, not only to do the same 
thing, but also in catching and stoj-jping balls sent in 
to tlie bat by the pitcher. 



12 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



BATTERY FIELDING. 

THE PITCHER AS A FIELDER. 

The first requisite of a pitcher, as regards his abil- 
ity to excel in fielding in his position, is the possession 
of courage and pluck in facing hard hit balls from 
the bat which come direct to him. No pitcher can 
fully avail himself of his good judgment in strategic 
skill in pitching who has any fear in facing " hot " 
balls from the bat. At the same time he may pos- 
sess the requisite courage to meet such hard hit balls 
and yet not be amenable to the charge of being 
afraid to face a hot fire of such balls, because he 
deems it wise at times to dodge some exceptionally 
hot liner, or other. What we refer to is, the courage 
which does not allow him to flinch from an endeavor 
to stop or catch the ordinary class of hard hit balls. 
The assistance a pitcher is credited with when the 
batsman strikes out has nothing to do with his regu- 
lar fielding assistance; nor are the errors charged to 
him on "called" or wild pitched balls, anything to 
do with his direct fielding errors, the latter including 
only dropped fly balls, muffed or fumbled balls from 
the bat, and wide throws to basemen. The fielding 
points a pitcher is called upon to attend to includes 
his running to first base to hold the ball when the 
first baseman deems it necessary to field the ball him- 
self and to throw it to the pitcher on the base. Also 
in the case o a "foul strike," a " foul " hit ball not 
caught on the fly a "dead" ball, or a base runner 



THE ART OF FIELDING. I3 

put out for allowing a fair hit ball to strike him, and 
also in the case of a " block " ball, the pitcher must 
hold the ball while standing within the lines of his 
position^ before the ball is regarded as in play; and 
therefore in all such cases he must, after fielding the 
ball, or after it has been thrown in to him, run to his 
position and stand within it ball in hand, before at- 
tempting to put an opponent out. Under the Amer- 
ican code of rules the pitcher must avoid sending the 
ball in so close to the line of the batsman's position as 
to run the risk of hitting him, as his doing so leads to 
the batsman's taking his base on such ball striking 
his person whether it hits him solidly or not, pro- 
vided the batsman makes due effort to avoid being 
hit without being obliged to leave his position. In 
the League code such hitting of the batsman by a 
ball sent in by the pitcher to the bat must be an in- 
tentional hit or no penalty can be inflicted. But 
such a hit is regarded as intentional if it could readily 
have been avoided by the pitcher. The pitcher, in 
both cases, must therefore see to it that in pitching 
wide of the base, either as a point of play or from in- 
accuracy of delivery, that he takes care to avoid 
pitching the ball over the line of the batsman's posi- 
tion, for this he has no right to do, and if done, and 
the batsman be hit in consequence, the Umpire must 
regard it as an intentional act. In running in to take 
high fly balls, whether balls which are likely to fall 
in front of the foul lines or directly behind them to 
the right or left of the catcher, the pitcher should be 

t 



14 THE ART OF FIELDING. 

sure of catching such balls or he should give way to 
the catcher or the nearest in fielder. Moreover, he 
should very seldom back far from his position toward 
second base in trying to catch a high fly ball as the 
chance of his making such a catch in comparison 
with that of some other one of the infielders is not 
good. Another point to play by the joitcher in field- 
ing is always to bear in mind the existing situation of 
affairs in the in-field every time he pitches a ball, so 
as to be as prompt as possible in fielding the batted 
ball — whether picked up off the ground, taken on the 
bound, or caught on the fly — so as to throw it at once 
to the right position. Suppose, for instance, a runner 
is on second and but one man out, and the batsman 
sends the pitcher a hot bounder, and the latter turns 
round to catch the runner from second napping, the 
point to play in this instance is, to drive back the 
runner — not forced off — to second by feints of throw- 
ing there, and yet be in time to throw the striking 
runner out. Should there be runners on first as well 
as second base when such a ball is hit, however, the 
pitcher then should not hesitate a moment, but 
promptly throw the ball to the third baseman so as 
to insure the ''force ofl"." The correct thing in doing 
this is to be ready to do it the moment the ball is hit. 
Such readiness is the result of being full}^ aware be- 
forehand as to what the exact situation is; if you are 
not fully aware of the position when the hit is made, 
the chances are that when you turn to look where to 
throw to, you will hesitate in your choice until too 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



late to throw either one runner or the other out. 
The excellence of the point of play lies solely in the 
readiness of the pitcher to comprehend the exact sit- 
uation of things when the hit is made. 

Though it is the duty of the short-stop to act as a 
sort of tender to the pitcher, the latter should never 
depend entirely upon such assistance, but attend to 
the ball himself when there is any possible chance of 
hastening a play by it. It is far too rare a thing to 
see a pitcher doing double duty, as it were, by his 
quick movements in fielding infield balls himself 
which are not generally regarded as balls to be fielded 
by the pitcher. It is "pretty work" in a pitcher 
when he is unusually active in backing up the first 
and third base positions when ground balls are hit 
near either of the boundaries of those bases. And it 
is quite the reverse to see a pitcher stand within the 
lines of his position almost indifferent in his efforts to 
field balls which do not come direct to him. It is 
this which shows the difference — as far as fielding 
can show it — between the pitcher who goes in for 
team work and to " play for the side," and the pitcher 
who is merely playing for a record of assistance on 
strikes. 

THE CATCHER AS A FIELDER. 

Catching behind the bat has come to be almost as 
important a position as that of the pitcher himself. 
There is a wonderful contrast in the play of the 
catchers of the present day and the comparatively 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



simple work the catchers of the old times had to 
attend to in their positions. When one thinks of Char- 
ley De Bost's easy task in facing Stevens' pitching in 
the old Knickerbocker Club days of 1857; or of the 
catching of Gelston of the old Eagles from Bixby's 
pitching; or that of Ed, Brown of the Eckfords from 
Frank Pidgeon's delivery; or of the graceful Hasten 
of the old Putnams, in catching for Tom Dakin; or 
of Boerum in attending to Mat. O'Brien's pitching; 
all these lights of the old fraternity pale their inef- 
fectual fires" before the splendid work of Ewing, 
Flint, Bennett, Gilligan, Hackett, and others of the 
League class of professionals, or of that of Milligan, 
Snyder, Plolbert, Carroll and others of the American 
Association. To stand up close behind the bat and 
face the hot fire of a swift curve pitcher, even when 
the balls come within comparatively easy reach, is no 
small task; but to do this, and also be keen-sighted 
and active enough to catch the stra)^ wide balls 
which come almost between the legs of the batsman, 
as it were, requires the most skillful play known to 
the position. When it is considered what the duties 
of a first-class catcher are Under the present high 
standard of play, it is not to be wondered at that 
really "A No. i" catchers are at a premium. Some 
are noted for their pluck, nerve and skill in playing 
up close to the bat, and in taking those dangerous 
looking fly-tips; others for their agility and judgment 
in securing difficult foul balls; others, again, for their 

swift and accurate throwing to the bases; and still 
2 



i8 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



others for their plucky endurance of punishment in 
supporting a wild delivery. But where is the catcher 
who combines in himself all these essentials of first- 
class play behind the bat? Echo answers: "Where?" 
In our book on " The Art of Pitching" we pointed 
out the absolute necessity of possessing control of 
temper in order to excel in the position. This essen- 
tial is equally requisite in a catcher as in a pitcher. 
It is, we know, pretty trying for a catcher, while he 
is striving his best behind the bat, to find a pitcher 
venting his ill-humor on him because the pitching is 
being punished, or a chance for a difficult fly-tip hap- 
pens to be missed; but to get vexed at this kind ot 
thing only results in a catcher's weakening his play. 
Anger clouds the judgment, unstrings the nerves, and 
mars the sight; and, the moment a player loses con- 
trol of his temper, away goes with it that presence of 
mind so necessary in playing base ball up to its high- 
est standard. 

Of the noted catchers of ten years ago the fine 
work done by White — Spalding's catcher in 1875 — 
presented noteworthy features worthy of copying. 
His forte was his remarkable reticence and wonder- 
ful activity. He presented quite a model for catchers 
in his style of handling the ball — that is, in his method 
of making his hands a sort of spring-box, by which 
he lessens half the force of the blow in holding it 
from a swift delivery. His agility, too, was especially 
noteworthy. But what we admired about his play 
was his quiet, eflfective way of doing his work. 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



19 



"Kicking" is something unknown to him. And just 
here in parenthesis let us say that there is one thing 
in which White stands pre-eminent, and that is that, 
in integrity of character, he is a model player. Not 
even the whisper of suspicion has ever been heard 
against "Jim White." Herein lies as much of his 
value in a team as in his great skill as a player. This 
is a fact that club-managers thoroughly appreciate, 
as can be judged from the excellent selections made 
by the club-managers for 188^. It certainly inspires 
confidence to be able to insert in their circulars to the 
public a few remarks proving that " reputation is dear 
to players," etc., but it is no more so than it should 
be; dollars, no matter how obtained, are of less value 
I to players than reputation, and when this is apparent 
I to the public they will accept the fact that all the 
skill a player possesses is put forth in every game. 

A feature of first-class catching is a prompt and 
accurate return of the ball to the pitcher. This is as 
I important for effective play as is a rapid delivery by 
the pitcher; we don't mean as regards pace, but in 
sending in balls in rapid succession, by which the 
batsman is obliged to be on the alert ail the time, 
' with but little opportunity afforded for leisurely judg- 
ing the balls. Some catchers hold the ball, after re- 
ceiving it from the pitcher, for some time, with a 
I view of throwing it to a base, or being ready for that 
' play. But the best plan is to promptly return it to 
the pitcher, unless a base runner has started to run on 
the actual delivery of the ball. We have seen many 

( 



20 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



a base stolen while the catcher has thus held the ball, 
apparently in readiness for a throw. A prompt re- 
turn bothers a base runner, especially if the return 
throw is swift and accurate to the pitcher. But the 
main value of it is that it enables the pitcher to play 
his strong point of catching the batsman napping by 
a rapid return of straight balls when the batsman is 
not ready to strike. Spalding was the first to intro- 
duce this style of catching, in aid of his pitching, and 
he got many a strike out of it through White's quick 
returns. 

There is one thing a catcher should not be held 
responsible for, and that is the costly consequences of 
a reckless delivery of the ball by a pitcher who lacks 
judicious control of temper. There is something 
outside the line of duty a catcher is called upon to 
perform. He may be required to support wild pitch- 
ing, while he is removed from the responsibility of 
the errors immediately resulting from it; but he can- 
not be bound to support the reckless delivery of a 
bad-tempered pitcher. It is very easy to say that a 
catcher ought to be able to do this, that and the 
other, in his play behind the bat; but there is a limit 
to the work a first-class catcher should be held re- 
sponsible for, and that limit does not include the 
errors plainly traceable to a reckless delivery. 

The habit some catchers have of showing off their 
skill as swift throwers to bases is a bad one. All that 
is necessary to be done in the way of this throwing 
to bases when men are close to their base, is that of 




A RUNNING CATCH. 



(21) 



22 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



showing the runners that you have good throwing 
at command, and that it will be necessary for them to 
take no risks. There is but one base a catcher can 
throw to with any degree of accuracy, and that is 
second base. There may be an exception to this 
rule, but it is rarely seen. Throwing to first base is 
the least advantageous throw made by a catcher, and 
throwing to third is next. Throwing to short-stop 
requires swift and accurate v/ork and a quick return 
of the ball home, to be successful; and the short 
throws to second, to catch a player running home 
from third, is risky work, not one throw in four of 
this kind succeeding. As a general rule the catcher 
who confines his throwing to one position, viz., that 
of second base, will do far more work in catching 
base runners napping, than one who throws to all 
bases with the same frequency. 

A vile habit which some catchers are prone to in- 
dulge in is that of grov\^ling at umpires and disputing 
their decisions, or ill-naturedly questioning their judg- 
ment. This is something a first-class catcher is never 
guilty of, his silent acquiescence in the decisions of 
umpires being a creditable feature of his play. Aside 
from the fact that it is illegal and unfair, it is the 
worst habit a catcher can indulge in, for growling 
only increases the prejudice of the umpire and con- 
fuses his judgment, and his errors are sure to tell 
against the grumbling catcher's side. 

Some of the finest play behind the bat during 1884 
was that shown in stopping and catching low, wide 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



balls. It is comparatively easy for a catcher to stand 
up close behind the bat and attend to the swift but 
accurate delivery of his pitcher; but the difficult part 
of his work lies in the activity and quickness of sight 
requisite in stopping low "side" balls. 

BASE PLAY. 

The three positions occupied by the first, second 
and third basemen require different qualifications to 
excel in them, though all need certain abilities alike. 
I In all three positions opportunities are offered for dis- 
; tinct and local points of play. The duty of the first 
' baseman is mainly to securely hold balls thrown to 
' him while he has one foot touchino;- the base; while 
; that of the second baseman is chiefly to touch players 
i as they run from first to second; the third baseman 
I . finding his principal work to consist of stopping hotly 
batted balls, catching high foul balls with a great 
twist given them by the bat, and in keeping players 
from running home, while trying at the same time to 
j put strikers out running to first base. 
1 But these things are but the foundation work of 
j the occupants of the three positions. Base players 
I are the defenders of the citadel of the field, and each 
j and all of them require to be first-class men in re- 
I gard to their activity and alertness of movement; 
their courage in facing and stopping hard-hit balls, 
and their ability to throw swiftly and accurately for 
j the distances required in field work. 



H 



TRE ART OF FIET.DING. 



The first base can be best occupied by a left-hand- 
ed player, as the hand most at command with such 
players faces the balls going close to the line of the 
base; while a left-handed player is decidedly out of 
place at either of the other infield positions. Of late 
seasons it has been the custom to cover the open gap 
between first and second bases by making the second 
baseman play at "right short ;" but this has left a safe 
spot for sharp grounders close to second base, while 
it has also drawn round the short stop to second, and 
the third baseman to short-field to such an extent as 
to make hitting of ground balls near the line of tliird 
base a sure style of batting for earned bases. 

Last season an element of weakness, in a majority 
of nines, prevailed in the form of ''chin- music" and 
ill-natured "chaffing," in which base-players pretty 
generally took part. Joking is all very well in its 
way when it is indulged in good-naturedly, but when 
the so-called jokes are characterized by sarcastic allu- 
sions to a companion's weaknesses, or by irritating 
comments on your adversary's style of play, it be- 
comes an evil which club managers should suppress. 
In some nines of the professional arena of 1884 one 
base player would not speak to another, while a third 
would comment ill-naturedly on every play made, 
good, bad, or indifferent. Indeed, a spirit of fault- 
finding prevailed more or less in every nine, and it 
had a very damaging effect on the general play of 
the nine in which it was permitted. While we would 
not care to see a nine play like a party of men devoid 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



25 



of speech, there is a value in the rule of silence as 
far as ''chafRng" or "chin-music," as it is called, is 
concerned, which should make it very generally en- 
forced in the professional arena. Where, too, much 
talk is permitted there is sure to be bad play. Every 
player in a professional nine, and especially base 
players, should play his game quietly^ to play it up 
to the best mark. The game needs all a man's wits 
in full force, and any talk, and especially anything in 
the way of fault-finding or ill-natured criticism, so 
bothers a player as to frequently lead him into errors 
of play he would not otherwise have committed. 

FIRST BASE PLAY. 

All basemen should be good ball catchers, but the 
occupant of the first base should specially excel in 
holding the swiftest thrown balls. He should, also, 
be fearless in facing hot balls from the bat, and expert 
in taking balls from the field, while holding one foot 
on the base. When a ball is hastily thrown to first 
base, his care should be to hold it, but at any rate to 
stop it. A good first base player ought to be able to 
hold a ball from the field, if it comes in anywhere 
within a radius of six feet from the base, and in case 
of high thrown balls he ought to take them at least 
eight feet high from the base. He must remember 
that the ball must be held by him — with some part 
of his person touching the base at the same time^ — 
before the striker reaches it, or the latter is not out; 
if the ball is held at the same time, the base runner 



26 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



is not out. Some first base players have a habit of 
taking their feet off the base the moment the ball 
has been held, and this frequently leads them to do 
so before holding the ball, or so quickly as to look so 
to the umpire, and the result is, that the striker is 
declared not out. In receiving a ball from the field, 
the first baseman should stand on the base in such a 
manner as not to prevent the runner from reaching 
his base, as the umpire is justified in regarding any 
obstruction of the kind by the base player as inten- 
tional, if it could readily have been avoided, though 
the baseman may not have intended to obstruct his 
opponent, or prevent him from making his base ex- 
cept by legitimate means. In taking his position in 
the field, he should stand about tw^enty or thirty feet 
from the base toward the right field, and between 
the first and second bases, until the ball has been hit, 
when he should at once take his position with one 
foot on the first base, ready to receive the ball from 
the field. In taking his position for fielding, he will, 
of course, be guided by the style of batting opposed 
to him, standing further out in the field or closer to 
the base, according to the balls the batsman is in the 
habit of hitting. He should keep his eyes open for 
chances in points of play, especially when players are 
forced to vacate bases. Thus, for instance, suppose 
there is a player on the first base when a ball is struck 
to the pitcher and it is held by him on the bound, 
should the pitcher forget to pass the ball to second 
base and send it to first base instead — the runner 



28 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



standing on the base in the interim instead of run- 
ning to the second base — the point of play for tiie 
baseman would be to take the ball from the pitcher 
while off the first base, and first touching the player 
standing on the base, put his foot on the base with 
ball in hand, thereby making a double play; for 
though the base runner was on the base when 
touched, he had no legal right to be there, inasmuch 
as the batsman, not being put out, forced the base 
runner to leave the base, and he — the base runner — 
had no title to the first base until the batsman was 
put out. Had the baseman, in the above instance, 
touched the base first, with ball in hand, and then 
touched the player on it, the latter would not have 
been out, as, the moment the striker was put out the 
base runner ceased to be forced to leave the base. 
Similar points to this can frequently be made when a 
player is on the first base and the batsman hits a high 
ball, as the former, in case the ball is caught, has to 
return to first base, and in case it is missed is forced 
to leave for the second base, and is, therefore, very 
likely to be put out there. When an overthrown ball 
to first base is stopped by the crowd in any way — ac- 
cidentally or intentionally — he must first throw it to 
the pitcher's position before he can use it to put a 
player out; and he should also remember that no ball 
hit by the batsman on which a balk has been called, 
can put the striker out no matter if held on the base 
in time, or caught on the fly, or on a foul bound. 
The first baseman requires to be well posted as to 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



39 



how far it will be safe for him to leave his base to 
field a slow rolling ball, which does not go within the 
fair reach of either the pitclier or second baseman. 
In regard to this point, it is known that there is a 
certain kind of ball just hit quietly along the ground 
to the center of a triangle formed by the positions of 
the pitcher, first baseman and second baseman at 
right short field, which almost invariably gives first 
base to an active runner, simply because it is a ball 
which tempts the first base player to try and field it 
himself, and all but old hands get trapped by it. Last 
season we saw several first base players try to field 
such short balls, and in nearly every case they failed. 
First-class basemen judge these balls admirably, and 
such leave them to the pitcher or second baseman to 
field to them unless they happen to come within a 
certain distance which the baseman knows he can 
get to and back before the batsman can travel from 
home to first. It is worthy of remark that these 
short hit balls are entitled to an earned base, no mat- 
ter how poor the hit may look. No hit, be it re- 
membered, is a "poor one" which allows the batsman 
a fair chance to earn his first base, while no matter 
how showy a hit may be, if it aflfords a chance for a 
catch, at the hands of a sharp and active fielder, it is 
a "poor hit." 

THE SECOND BASEMAn's POSITION. 

We now come to the second baseman's position, 
and as far as base playing is concerned, it is one of 



THE ART OP FIELDING. 



the most important positions in the game. In fact, 

there is no position in the infield which requires 
more judgment in its occupant than does that of the 
second base. The first baseman is, in a measure, 
Hmited in his sphere of operations, and so is the third 
baseman to a less extent. But the second baseman 
has the whole of the middle infield to cover, and b 
a lack of judgment he can readily give base after 
base to his opponents. The fact is, it requires a man 
of more tact and skill to fill this position than it does 
that of almost any other on the field, excepting, of 
course, the pitcher. Out-fielders have only to attend 
to their duties in catching and throwing, and the 
other basemen in special duties like that of the first 
baseman in holding balls thrown simply to him, and 
that of the third baseman in looking out for high 
foul balls. But the second baseman has to be equally 
expert in holding swiftly-thrown balls, and in look- 
ing out for high fly-balls, while he has, in addition, 
to be very quick in putting a ball on a baseman, and 
as active in backing up as the short-stop is required to 
be; and he has especially to be sharp in judging of a 
batsman's peculiar style of hitting, so as to be on the 
lookout to stop hot grounders passing near his base, 
or to catch high balls over the heads of the in-fielders 
intended to be safe hits. He is required, also, to 
cover second base and to play " right short stop," but 
his position in the field must be governed entirely by 
the character of the batting he is called upon to face. 
If a hard hitter comes to the bat, and swift balls are 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



31 



being sent in, he should play well out in the field, 
between right field and second base, and be on the 
qui vive for long bound balls or high fly balls, which 
drop between the out-field and the second base line. 
When the batsman makes his first base the second 
baseman comes up and gets near his base in readiness 
to receiv^ the ball from the catcher. He should 
remember that in a majority of cases his duty is to 
touch the base runner, and this it would be well to 
do in all cases when the latter is found off his base. 
The habit of touching base runners is a good one to 
get into, as there is then no likelihood of its being 
forgotten when it becomes necessary for a player to 
be touched. When the first baseman runs after the 
ball hit by the striker, the second baseman should at 
once make for the first base, as he is generally nearer 
to it than either the short stop or pitcher when balls 
are being hit between first and second bases. In 
timing for a throw to first base he should be sure of 
his aim, or, if in doubt, he should let the base be 
made, or otherwise the chances are that an overthrow 
will give his opponent his third instead of his first 
base. Hasty throwing is poor policy except the base- 
men are pretty sure in sending in a swift line ball, 
and there is a good man at first base to hold it. 
When a player is on the first base, and another on 
the third, the second baseman should be on the 
watch, so as to make a prompt return of the ball 
when the catcher throws to the second, and the man 
on the third attempts to run home on the throw. 



32 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



There is ample time for a ball to be thrown from 
home to second and back to put out a player running 
home, if the throwing is accurate and swift, and the 
catching sure. 

It must be borne in mind by players that a player, 
running from home to first base, is allowed to over- 
run his base without running the risk of being put 
out, provided he promptly returns to the f)ase after 
over-running it; but should he attempt to make his 
second after over-running, then he loses his privilege 
of returning. The rule is confined to the first base, 
but it should be applied to all. 

Second base playing now requires the player to be 
not only a base player per se^ but a right short stop 
in ^addition, he having to play in both positions. As 
a base player he must not only be able to hold a ball 
thrown to him " hot " from " home " in good style, 
but he must be quick in his motions in putting it on 
the player running to the base. In fact, he sliould 
not only hold it as the first-base player does, but 
combine with the sure hold of the ball the activity in 
touching players required in the position. Then, 
too, he must be able to cover all the ground at ^'right 
short," as well as close around his own base, and to 
do this well he ought to possess the requisite "head- 
work" to be able to judge of the hits by the pitcher's 
delivery, and by the style in which the batsman 
''faces" or "forms" for striking. In fact, the second 
baseman must be one of the most active of in-fielders, 
and a very accurate thrower for short distances? 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 33 

besides requiring to be a man who can use his judg- 
ment to aid him. 

THIRD BASE PLAY. 

The most difficult of the positions on the bases to 
play well is that of third base, and of late years it 
has become more than, ordinarily important from the 
introduction of the scientific style of batting, which 
aims only to secure first base easily— a phase of this 
batting being sharp ground hits along the foul line 
which the third baseman has especially to attend to. 
In fact, what with the high twisting balls sent foul 
from the bat toward third base, and the hot ground- 
ers, which are so difficult to pick up and throw 
quickly and accurately enough to first base, the third 
baseman requires to be a fielder of more than ordi- 
nary ability, and one possessing considerable judg- 
ment. It won't do for a third baseman to take up a 
regular position every time he goes to the field, for 
the batting now in vogue requires him to change his 
place more frequently even than at second base. In 
one and the same inning he will be required to play 
between third and home bases and ten feet inside of 
the foul ball line to cover short ground balls, while 
another batsman may oblige him to act almost as 
short stop, and another force him well back into the 
field for high fouls. Then, too, he has to watch his 
base very closely when players are running their 
bases, as he has to take throws from the catcher and 
pitcher, as well as from the other in-field players. 

3 



34 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



To stop a long hot grounder sent close to third base 
and to throw over in time to first base requires the 
most skillful of fielding, a combination of the brilliant 
"pick-ups" of Denney or Williamson, and the speed 
and accuracy of Sutton's throwing. The third base- 
man, too, has considerable work to do in running 
after high foul balls out of reach of the catcher. 

When Ferguson filled the third baseman's position 
in the Atlantic nine about a dozen years ago he did 
some model fielding there. The style in which he 
picked up hot ground balls excelled anything ever 
before seen on a ball-field, no one approaching him 
in this respect. His quick throwing, too^ was note- 
woithy; also his sure catching of fly balls. His 
excellence in picking up difficult grounders had been 
attained by practice in hand-ball playing; and club 
managers will find that practice in the hand-ball 
courts will be more effective in training their players 
than any gymnasium work can be; for it trains to the 
endurance of fatigue, makes a man specially active, 
toughens the hands, and trains a ball player to field 
the most difficult of ground balls, besides educating 
his sight in fielding balls better than any thing else 
can do. 

The importance of the third base position lies in 
the fact that on the play of the third-baseman, and 
on his sharp fielding of difficult balls, will frequently 
depend the loss of runs to his opponents, when the 
failures on the other bases are only made at the cost 
of a single base. In the case of a miss-play at third 




A HIGH FLY. 



(35) 



36 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



base, however, one or more runs scored is generally 
the' result, that is, in cases where players are running 
their bases. When no men are on the bases the third 
baseman will have to be active in fielding the ball, 
and quick and accurate in throwing it, in order to 
prevent the striker from making his base. The third 
baseman takes a position closer to his base than either 
of the other basemen. Sometimes, however, he takes 
the place of the short stop when the latter covers the 
second base in cases where the second baseman plays 
at right short for a right-field hitter. In throwing 
from base to base hastily, take care that you throw 
low, rather than high, hs a low ball can be stopped 
if not handled, whereas a ball overhead gives a run 
in nearl}^ every instance. In fact, as a general thing, 
it is safer to allow a player to make one base than to 
run the risk of helping him to two or three bases by 
an overthrow. Accurate throwing from base to base 
is a pretty feature of the game, and with straight 
throwers and sure catchers can be safely indulged in 
at all times, for though a player may not be put out 
by a throw, when he sees the ball thrown straight 
and handed prettily, it makes him hug his bases 
closer. 

Your earnest, reliable base player when he goes 
into a match, or even a practice game, plays ball 
from the word " Go" until the contest is ended. He 
plays to win, but only to win fairly and manfully, and 
not like a tricky knave. He never plays to show off, 
never puts on airs, or plays one time earnestly and 



THE ART OF FIELDTXG. 



37 



another time lazilj^ or indifferently, as too many do, 
but he works like a beaver at all tim^es, and that is 
the way to play ball. 

THE SHORT STOP's POSITION. 

Of late years the position of short stop has almost 
become the key to the infield. The time was when 
the short fielder was regarded simply in the light of 
a waiter on the pitcher. In the old Hoboken days 
short stops were at one time thought to be rather in 
the way in the infield than otherwise; but when 
Johnny Grum, Dicky Pearce, Charley Thomas and 
other noteworthy occupants of that position, some 
twenty odd years ago, began to develop the resources 
of the short stop, and to practically illustrate the 
points of the position, there was quite a change of 
opinion on the subject. Since then short fielding has 
become the strongest force of the attacking power in 
the infield outside of- the pitcher's position. The rea- 
son is that the short fielder occupies the position of a 
sort of rover. Unlike the base players, though he 
has a fixed position in one respect — standing as he 
does in the field midway between third basemnn and 
second baseman — his duty is to occupy the position 
of all three of the basemen when occasion requires. 
Moreover, he is the general backer-up of all the in- 
fielders. No short stop who does not excel in this 
special feature of his position is fit to occupy it. In 
addition, it is necessary that the short fielder should 
be a man of quick perception, prompt to judge of a 



38 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



situation, to take in all the points of the position at a 
glance, and to be able to act quickly and with de- 
cision. A peculiarity of short field play is that too 
often the reputation of a short stop is made or marred 
by the character of the play of the first baseman. 
We know of several short stops in years gone by 
whose success in playing their position was largely 
due to the effective support given them by their first 
baseman. The short fielder has many a ball come 
to him which is hard to stop and pick up so as 
to throw it in time to a base, that, unless the base- 
man happens to be a player who can pick up a 
sharply thrown bounding ball, or reach out and se- 
curely hold a wide side thrown ball, or jump up and 
capture a high thrown ball, the play of the short 
fielder is sure to suffer. On such occasions, when 
hard hit balls are well stopped by the short fielder, 
and he scarcely has time to get them in hand to 
throw accurately, unless he is sure of his baseman, 
the hit yields an earned base. Hence the importance 
of having first basemen in position who can not only 
do what ordinary fir>t basemen are called upon to do, 
viz., stop hard thrown and straight balls, but who are 
able to shine in their position by stopping — if they 
cannot always field them — wide-thrown balls. The 
majority of the crowd of spectators cannot see how 
wide or bad a throw is made to first or second bases 
from short field, but they can see whether it be held 
or not; and when the ball is held the most of the 
credit of the out is given to the short stop for his 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



39 



assistance, when, in fact, but for the fine playing of 
the baseman in holding the wide or low thrown balls, 
the runner would have secured his base. The beauty 
of George Wright's throwing to first base was his 
accuracy of aim; knowing his own power of swift 
throwing, he would wait until sure of his aim, and 
then let the ball go like a rifle-shot. He has had 
many imitators in swift throwing to the bases, but 
very few in the accuracy of his aim, and it was in 
that particular that he so greatly excelled. A swift 
thrower from short field, even when supported by a 
first-class first baseman, is a costly player as a gen- 
eral thing. He likes to show oflfhis speed too much, 
and forgets too often the cost of the exhibition. The 
short fielder requires to be in full accord with the 
pitcher in regard to being familiar with the latter's 
special points of strategic play, so that he may duly 
prepare either to stand in closer or out further than 
usual. He should also be able to understand signals 
from the catcher, in order that the latter player, in 
throwing to second base, should be posted as to 
which man to throw to — second baseman or short 
stop. Thus, for instance, if a player be on first base, 
ready to run to second, and he should see the second 
baseman ready to receive a ball, he will hesitate to 
run; but should he see the baseman standing at "right 
short," leaving the second base apparently unprotect- 
ed, he will run the risk of attempting to make the 
base. In this case the short-field should be able to 
signal the catcher that he is ready for the point, and 



40 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



at the same time that the catcher prepares to throw 
the ball to the base the short stop should be there to 
receive it, the latter starting to run from short to sec- 
ond just as the base runner starts to run from first to 
second. We merely refer to this point in order to 
illustrate the character of fielding an effective short 
stop is called upon constantly to attend to. He should 
always be in motion while the ball is in play in the 
field, first in watching balls that are sent to his own 
position, secondly in backing up the third base, and 
lastly in playing the second baseman's position, or in 
supporting the pitcher, to which player he should be 
a sort of special attendant, in order to save him as 
much work as he can. Moreover, the short stop re- 
quires to be an exceedingly swift and accurate 
thrower, as of all positions wild throwing from short 
field is the most costly. He should also be a very 
sure catch, especially in judging of those diflicult high 
balls which almost belong to the outfielder's position 
to take. The short field is especially adapted for an 
active fielder of short stature, as they can more readily 
attend to those short, sharp grounders which form 
the majority of balls to the short stop's position, and 
which are generally so difficult for a tall or heavily- 
built man to attend to. 

The short stop should be constantly on the alert; 
quick in his movements, active of foot, a quick and 
straight thrower at short distances, and especially a 
man of good judgment, so as to know when to throw 
and when not to throw after fielding a ball. There 




SWIFT LIXER. 



(41) 



42 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



was some very poor play shown by short stops last 
season, in the way of ill-judged throws. Some would 
throw hastily and swiftly, after failing to pick up a 
ball neatly, and thereby would add a wild throw to 
their fielding error. Others, again, would pick up a 
ball prettily and then be so deliberate in throwing — 
depending too much upon their speed — that when 
the ball did go to the first base it was too hot " or 
too "wide" to be held. A short stop should be 
ready to run up and field a short hit between 
pitcher and third, or to run out and take a high fty 
short of the left field. The short stop has the best 
and the most chances given him for double plays on 
dropped fly balls, but it is not an easy thing to do. It 
will no longer do to catch the ball and then drop it, 
the point of play now being to let it go to the ground 
and then field it at once, covering the ball as it drops. 
The best-played " point " in this respect we ever saw 
at the hands of a short stop was that played by 
George Wright on McDonald and Pearce in the first 
Atlantic and Red Stocking match of 1870. It oc- 
curred in the tenth inning of the game, after the At- 
lantics had retired the Reds for a blank score, and, 
with the figures at 5 to 5, had two men on the bases, 
with but one hand out, and just one run to get to 
win. McDonald was at second base and Pearce at 
first, with Smith at the bat. One good hit would 
have sent McDonald home and have won the game. 
First came a foul ball out of reach, and then Charley 
popped up a high ball, which George Wright pre- 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



43 



pai'ed himself to take, and Pearce, seeing- the almost 
certainty of the catch, held his base, as did McDon- 
ald, George Wright being careful to avoid any move- 
ment likely to indicate the point he intended to play. 
Suddenly, however, as the ball fell, George dropped 
into a stooping position, placed his hands flat to re- 
ceive the ball near the ground, and the result was the 
ball bounded out of his hands on to the ground. It 
was picked up sharply, sent like a rifle shot to third 
base, where W aterman stood ready to hold it — 
thereby putting out McDonald, forced oflf from sec- 
ond ; and by Waterman the ball was promptly sent 
to Sweasy, putting out Pearce, forced off from first. 
The result of this well played point was the retire- 
ment of the Atlantics for a blank score. The plan 
of holding out the palms of the hands flat so as to 
allow the ball to bound dead out of the hands, and 
with the twist taken out of it before reaching the 
ground, is the best way of playing this point. An- 
other way is to let the ball bound and smother it as it 
rises. It won't do to catch the ball and then drop it, 
as that amounts to a " momentarily" holding of the 
ball and consequently a catch. 

A great many errors in fielding — or rather in fail- 
ing to field — sharply hit ground balls, were charged 
to short stops last season for which they were not 
responsible. It is not generally understood that when 
the ball has a strong bias or twist imparted to it by 
the pitcher, and when it is sharply hit to the ground, 
it will diverge from the direct line of progress the 



44 



THE ART OF FIETDING, 



moment it strikes the ground, and in such a way as 
entirely to deceive the fielder, who is prepared for 
the regular rebound onl}^, and not to find the ball re- 
bounding to the right or left and with unusual speed. 
These failures to stop ground balls are not errors, as 
they cannot be provided for by the most expert 
fielding. 

Cool judgment in critical points of a game should 
be a feature of first-class short fielding. This was a 
merit of Dick Pearce's play in the old days, as was 
his sound judgment in all the strategical points. In 
emergencies and critical positions of a contest no 
other man was so cool and collected as Pearce. It was 
this very thing which really won the game for the 
old Atlantic nine in their second contest in i860 with 
the Excelsiors, when the players on both sides, as 
well as the umpire, became befogged about a point 
of play in running the bases — a point which Pearce 
alone saw and explained — the result being two men 
and side out for the Excelsiors, and their demoraliza- 
tion when they had the game in their hands. In 
this respect Dick excelled all the other short stops of 
his day. 



SHORT FIELDING. 

More opportunities are afforded the short fielder 
for playing strategic points in putting out base run- 
ners than are presented to any other occupant of the 
infield. He has greater supervision over the infield 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



45 



than any other player, and he combines in his posi- 
tion the double office of short stop and base player, 
being called upon to play both second and third bases, 
in emergencies, quite frequently. He is also the gen- 
eral backer-up of the infield. For this reason the 
short stop requires to be a player very quick to judge 
of points in strategic play, and to be perfectly famil- 
iar with every rule of the game, besides being cool 
and nervy in exciting periods of a contest. To 
illustrate: Suppose all three of the bases are occu- 
pied in the last inning of a game, with but one man 
out, but one run to get, and a hard hit ball is sent direct 
to the short stop; though a good fielder might be 
able to stop the ball well enojLigh, such a player, lack- 
ing nerve and presence of mind for prompt action, or 
the judgment to decide quickly what was best to oe 
done, would commit some error or other in thr. .ving 
the ball which would allow the winning :i to be 
scored, and yet neither muflF the ball in f -.iing it, or 
throw it to the base wildly. 

It is worthy of remark, as son" . -mg which once 
upon a time had to be referre.I l 3, that it is in the 
short stop's position that horj-^ y tells, for it is in cases 
of this kind that chances Id hide a crooked piece of 
play are offered. To lai-Zole a hard-hit ground ball, 
to make a feint to ihrow it to a base to put a runner 
out, and then throw it just too late to catch the striker 
at first base; or to throw it home so swiftly as to 
render it impossible for the catcher to stop it in time, 
are plays which may be legitimate errors, and yet may 



46 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



be intentional mispla\ s. It all depends upon what 
the character of the short stop is. 

A word about the recording of short stop's errors : 
As a rule scorers were too hard on short stops' last 
season in the way of charging them with errors. 
We saw some scorers charge short stops with errors 
when they failed to stop a hard hit ground ball 
well enough to pick it up and throw it in time to the 
base. To stop a hard hit grounder, even if the 
ball be not sent to the base in time, is a good play, 
and no error. If it is sent to the base in time, it is a 
splendid piece of fielding. Frequently hard hit balls 
from curved line pitching, when they strike the in- 
field in front of the short stop, diverge on the rebound 
at a tangent, and thus escape capture. This, too, was 
frequently charged as an error when a base hit 
should have been credited. There is altogether too 
great a tendenc}^ to charge errors to tielders — to short 
stops in particular — in cases where hard hit ground 
balls are not stopped in time. It is difficult to do it 
even on a smooth, velvety turf like that of the infield 
of the old Union Grounds of years ago, and almost 
impossible on a rough or uneven infield, like that of 
the majority of ball fields. 

The play in a game when the bases are occupied 
by runners is frequently marred by the failure 
of the short stop to back up basemen to whom 
the catcher or pitcher throws. There should 
always be an understanding between the short stop 
and both pitcher and catcher in regard to the 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



47 



special conditions which will occasion either to 
make throws to the basemen, so that the short 
stop might always be on the qui vive to back 
up well. There was a tendency shown by some 
short stops last season to indulge in showy, swift 
throwing, as also in somewhat careless, slow throw- 
ing. A ball would be batted hard to the short stop, 
but still so as to enable him to pick it up in time, and 
when he had done this well he would take his time in 
throwing, and then send it in hot to the baseman, 
when a slower throw would have answered the pur- 
pose better had he thrown it as soon as he had fielded 
it. This was often done to " show off" in fast throw- 
ing, and of course, at the risk of the ball not being 
held in time. When a ball is hit to short stop so as 
to make it difficult to stop and field in time for the 
throw, then a swift throw is justifiable. But this 
throwing fast when the fielder has time for a moder- 
ate and more accurate throw, is not "good form" in 
short field work. Neither is the slow toss of the ball 
to the baseman, when the ball from the bat is one 
which gives the short stop ample time to throw it 
to the baseman. The habit of play in throwing 
should be straight-line throwing, with moderate but 
timely speed, leaving very swift throwing to special 
emergencies, when the critical period of a contest may 
excuse some extra risk being incurred. There was 
considerable throwing done from short field last sea- 
son which may be classed as bad throwing, from the 
fact that it was not a point to throw the ball at all. 



48 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



It is in this respect that the record of errors comes in 
with objectionable effect. There are numerous times 
in the course of a match when it is better play to hold 
a ground ball from the bat instead of throwing it to 
the base. These instances occur when there is no 
runner on a base, or only one on first base, and the ball 
hit to the short stop is a difficult one to pick up. 
Too frequently in such cases the fielder will try to 
escape the result of a "juggle" or "fumble" of the 
ball by a hasty throw, and generally at the cost of a 
double error in the form of either a wild throw or a 
failure to hold the ball by the base player. Better to 
abide by the one error and escape the double one by 
holding the ball and keeping the runners from getting 
extra bases. As regards the short stop acting as tem- 
porary second baseman, except when a ball is hit to 
right short and a runner is on first and is forced, it de- 
pends upon the peculiar style of batting of the man 
at the bat as to whether short stop plays as second 
baseman or not. Ordinarily, with a right hand bats- 
man at the bat, the short stop will play in his own 
position. But when he sees the batsman " facing " 
for a right field hit, he should move down to cover 
second base, leaving the second baseman to go to 
right short. The samd course should be pursued, too, 
when left-handed men come to the bat. Under the 
circumstances of the marked increase in right field 
batting of late years, and of the introduction of bat- 
ting quartets of left-handed hard hitters the necessity 
for the short stop being able to be a good second base 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



49 



player, becomes very apparent. A point played last 
season with good effect at times was that of the 
catcher throwing to short stop when a runner was on 
third, and another ran down from first to second to 
get the man on third home. This was not done in 
the old style of throwing to short stop's position, but 
in thro.wing a little to the left of second base, the 
short stop jumping forward and taking the ball and 
promptly returning it to the catcher in time. When 
the ball is swiftly thrown and accurately returned, the 
play invariably yields an out; but it must be under- 
stood by signal to be done effectually. There was 
one thing in short lield play which was not always 
attended to properly last season, and that was the 
want of habits of play in throwing to each base 
according to regular rule. Unless a short stop plays 
by regular rule, habitually making the proper throw 
at the proper time, he is apt to get confused when left 
to judge a throw in a second of time. When two men 
are out, the short stop should disregard all temptation 
to throw a fielded ground ball anywhere but to the first 
baseman. When a runner is on first, too, such a 
fielded ball should be sent to second base habitually, 
except in the case of two men being out. Plays of 
this kind should be done by rule, and so habitually 
that the play becomes natural to the fielder, and he 
does it by instinct, as it were. In such cases, balls 
which come to him hard to field in time will reach the 
baseman sooner than they would if. he were not 
habituated to certain rules of play. We have seen 



THE ART OF FIELDING, 



some splendid short fielding in our day, but there is 
still room for more points and even better play than 
any yet exhibited. 

THE OUT FIELD POSITIONS. 

Quite a change has taken place within the past few 
years in reference to the importance of each position 
in the outfield. Twenty years ago the left field posi- 
tion was regarded as the position. That was in the 
days of the ten-inch-round, two-and-a-half rubber 
ball, and when the so-called " splendid hits " to left 
field were regarded as the feature of the game, and 
fielding skill was considered of secondary import- 
ance. Now the most difficult work is done in the 
right field, and the old-time features of outfielding, 
the catching of long fly balls, has been superseded 
by brilliant instances of assistance in putting out play- 
ers on bases by quick and accurate throwing in of 
balls, from the outfield positions. To one accus- 
tomed to see the headwork play of skillful outfielders 
of the present day, the old-time method would appear 
laughable. The old outfielder — even after the days 
of the bound-catch of fair balls — seldom deemed it 
worth his while to leave his position to go after a 
ball flying to any other position in the outfield. 
Playing for the sid^ was then unknown, except in 
the instance of the old Atlantic nine, and also the 
Excelsior nine in i860. In those days — and some 
players practice the same thing now — an outfielder 
thought he did his work well if he caught the fly- 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



51 



ball that came to him, without troubling himself to 
run far to get it. Anything like an assistance in 
putting out players on bases from balls thrown in 
from the outfield was comparatively rare play, ex- 
cept that now and then an effort was made to put 
out players trying to make home runs. All this has 
been changed. During 1884 some of the prettiest 
outfield work that was done was in making brilliant 
plays in doubling up base runners from quick returns 
of base-hit balls to the outfield, and from double 
plays from well-taken fly balls, not to mention the 
many instances of sharp fielding in assistance ren- 
dered from right field in putting out strikers before 
they reached first base. Of course there are instances 
in which much of the importance of an outfield posi- 
tion is derived from the peculiar character of the 
ground. As a general thing, however, the three 
positions are pretty equal in their call for service from 
players, though, if anything, the right field has the 
preference, as being the place to put the best out- 
fielder of the three. 

An important effect of sharp outfield play in the 
quick return in of fielded balls, is that of bothering 
base runners. Any experienced base runner knows 
very well that in four cases out of five he can tell 
whether a long-hit ball from the bat is going to be 
held or not by this or that outfielder; and in this 
knowledge he makes his estimate of how many bases 
he can make on his hit. If the hit is a high one, 
falling a little short of the outfielder's position, so as 



52 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



to oblige him to run in for the ball, and he knows his 
fielder well, he goes for the second or third on the 
hit, sure. But in the case of outfielders like Hor- 
nung, Hines or Evans it is difficult to tell when a 
ball is safe or not, if hit high in the air, and hence 
fewer bases are risked in running when such skillful 
outfielders are seen going after a ball than is done in 
the case of ordinary outfielders, not so remarkably 
long-reached nor active. It is in this special point of 
play that great activity, backed up by headwork, 
comes in with such telling effect in outfield positions. 

The substitution of a comparatively dead ball in 
the game, compared to the old lively rubber filled 
ball of years past, has had the effect of materially 
changing the character of outfield play, and of giv- 
ing more impoi:tance to the playins^ of the outfield 
positions. When the old rubber ball was in use and 
heavy hitting to the outfield was the rule, all the 
outfielders had to do was to stand out as far as they 
could, catch the ball and throw it in promptly; no 
opportunities were afforded them then for judging of 
a batsman's play, as it was all chance hitting, each 
going in to hit the ball as hard as he could, and with 
no idea as to which part of the field the ball would 
be likely to go. Since the dead ball has been in use, 
however, outfielders have been allowed opportunities 
for " headwork" in judging of the style of batting 
by their opponents, and of playing their positions 
accordingly. For this reason in choosing outfielders 
for first-class professional nines, something more than 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



53 



the mere ability of the fielder to catch the ball and 
throw it in a long distance must be considered, and 
that something is the judgment of the fielder in 
being able to play the strategical points of his posi- 
tion, and to do something more than to merely stand 
out in the field and catch a ball that comes to him, or 
to run after one and throw it in a hundred yards. 
We have seen outfielders not only watch carefully 
every private signal of the pitcher, but also judge 
for themselves in the matter of the style of the bats- 
man's play, and to get in closer, stand out further, 
get nearer to the foul ball lines, or to move more to 
the left or right as the style of hitting appears to 
require, thereby showing their ability to play the 
strategical points of their positions. In the case of 
using an elastic ball, any man who is a safe catcher 
and a long distance thrower will do to play in the 
outfield against lively ball batting; but in the case of 
the use of a dead ball, with its accompaniment of 
scientific batting, outfielders must be men who can 
use their heads as well as their hands, or the posi- 
tions will not be efficiently played. 

Outfielders should never stand still or occupy one 
position all the time, but be ever on the move, ready 
for a quick run, or to back up each other. They 
should never hold a ball a minute, but promptly re- 
turn it to the infield as soon as handled. In thus 
returning the ball they should invariably send it in to 
the second baseman, unless some other fielder is 
designated on call by the captain. But in the case of 



54 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



a fly catch in the outer field, when bases are being 
run, the outfielder should, of course, throw to the 
base player the base runner is returning to. The 
outfield is the place for the change pitcher of the nine 
to occupy. All three of the outfielders should watch 
the movements of the pitcher and batsman closely, 
so as to be ready to judge the ball likely to be hit 
to them. When a good batsman is at the home base 
they can get in closer than when a home-run hitter 
handles the ash. When the outfielders see that foul 
balls are being hit frequently, they should get up 
near the foul ball line. It is easier to run in for a 
short ball than to back out for a high one, and there- 
fore they should not stand in too close, though going 
out too far is worse still. No outfielder should stand 
still simply because the ball does not happen to come 
in his direction. Activity and judgment in being 
prompt in support is characteristic of first-class play 
in the out as well as in the infield. With the com- 
paratively dead ball now in use outfielders will do 
well to stand in closer than hitherto. It is better to 
let a long ball go over your head now and then than 
to miss the chance of takmg short high balls on the 
fly, which are sent just over the heads of the in field- 
ers. Where one long ball is hit five short ones are 
sent to the outer field. 

In regard to running in for a catch, it is always 
better to stop and be sure of fielding the ball than to 
continue to run in in the hope of catching it in brill- 
iant style, only to find yourself overrunning the ball, 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



55 



and thereby letting your adversary secure an extra 
base or an unearned run. Such a thing as a double 
play from an outfield catch used to be very rare; and 
putting out a player at first base from a throw in from 
right field, v^as a feat almost unknown. Now an 
outfielder does not play up to his mark unless he fre- 
quently makes such plays during a season's campaign. 

No one would suppose that after sixteen years of 
regular professional playing, and of even a longer ex- 
perience than that in the training of professional 
nines, any outfielder would be found playing his po- 
sition as if he were a mere ornamental figure in the 
team, and only played in one particular position to 
attend to particular balls which happened to come 
directly to where he was standing. But yet several 
such players were seen in the outfield teams of a few 
professional nines last season. That is, they played 
their position as if they had only a limited portion of 
ground to cover, and therefore had no occasion to get 
out of their special locality to field balls sent to the 
positions of other out-fielders. " W hat d' yer blame 
me for? It wan't my ball; it was the center-field- 
er's ball." This was the tenor of many of the expla- 
nations made by this class of outfielders last season, 
when they were called upon to answer the charge of 
making an error in not properly attending to their 
duties. The great point in outfielding is to send 
each man into the position to play as if he were the 
only outfielder present to cover the whole outfield. 
The idea that a left fielder has only to attend to left 



56 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



field balls and a right fielder to those sent to 
right field, is an exploded rule of the old amateur 
days. What the short fielder is to the basemen in 
the infield in giving them support by judicious back- 
ing-up, so should each of the three outfielders be to 
one another. The moment a long high ball, or a 
hard-hit liner, or a hopping ball is hit to the outfield, 
that moment every one of the three outfielders should 
be on the alert to catch it, stop it, or to field it when 
it happens to be missed or fumbled by the fielder to 
whose particular position the ball is sent. Of course 
it should be plainl}^ understood beforehand as to 
who is to attend to the high fly ball when it 
comes, so as to avoid a dangerous collision, and the 
dropping of the ball between two hesitating fielders. 
In all other instances, too, no proper outfielding is 
done unless it is seen that all three fielders are in mo- 
tion after the ball, hit to any part of the outfield. 
Here is an instance of how this thing works: In a 
match last season a long high ball was hit to the left 
fielder's position. The moment the ball was seen 
flying to the outfield all three of the fielders were 
on the move after it. The left fielder backed down 
in running to catch it; the center fielder ran down 
near him, to be ready to field it in case of a drop, and 
the right fielder ran up toward the infield to be 
ready to forward the ball in on a sharp, quick throw 
toward infield. A splendid catch was made by the 
left fielder, and he had time for a long throw in to 
third base; but the point we wish to show is that of 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



57 



the prompt assistance afforded by the other two out 
fielders working together as a team, which the three 
outfielders should be taught to do in all first-class 
nines. But this particular branch of the system of 
'•playing for the side" is never seen where your out- 
fielders are composed of men playing for a record 
Your record man seldom troubles himself about balls 
out of his district; and if, being a left fielder, he sees 
a ball sent flying to right field, he just folds his arms 
and becomes a mere looker-on, even if he does not 
inwardly hope to see a rival fielder make a muff, by 
means of which his own record will be benefited; 
whether that be done at the cost of the team at large, 
and perhaps that of the game itself, does not affect 
him— his sole consideration being his record; and if 
this is kept all right by his leading his two compan- 
ions at center and right fields, everything else is of 
little consequence. Nowadays catching high fly 
balls, hit by muffing batsmen to the outfield in their 
silly efforts for home run applause, is one of the least 
things an outfielder has to do. And, moreover, it is 
possible that an outfielder who has made an average 
of but one catch to a match, may have done more 
real service to his side, by splendid fielding support 
in backing up and assisting the two other fielders, 
than he whose record in the average figures is at the 
top. Harry Wright, when at center field in the early 
days of the Boston nine, used to show the outfield 
business, done upon the principle of playing for the 
side, in fine style. He always led in assistance from 



58 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



his position, and in backing up. Harry got at balls 
at center field that few outfielders ever trouble them- 
selves to go for; he knew w^here to lay for most hit- 
ters — a great point in outbelding. Some splendid 
work in making difficult catches was done in the out- 
field last season, and also in throw^ing balls in accu- 
rately and in time. And, by the way, this throwing- 
in business is something which oflfers a field for 
improvement. Your long-throwers are just as fond 
of throwing balls in from the outfield for the sake of 
the throw, as fast throwers in the infield are in throw- 
ing fast to first base. Throwing home to the catcher 
from the outfield is a very nice thing to do, and it is 
important that it be done well if attempted at all, as 
overthrows from this quarter are damaging, in that 
they invariably yield runs instead of merely bases. 
It is no easy matter for an outfielder, after concentrat- 
ing his mind on the eflfort to catch a dfficult fly-ball- 
to turn suddenly and grasp the idea of the position in 
the infield quickly enough to know to what point to 
throw. In such cases a throw home is generalh^ re- 
sorted to, and in three cases out of five an overthrow 
is the result. The rule for outfield throwing should 
be — when in doiiht^ throw into short field. The best 
outfield of the League teams of 1884 ^^^^ 
Providence nine, and yet they did not play up to the 
mark as a team that the three positions admit of. In 
fact, there is considerable room for improvement in 
outfield Jteam-playing. One reason is, that to a cer- 
tain extent team-playing in the outfield is self-sacri- 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



59 



ficing work, as far as the average record is concerned. 

. When the fielding averages are made up from data 
which cover the whole ground, and not simply a por- 
tion of it, as it does now, then we shall see better 
team work in the outfield. Let it be borne in mind 
that a well-trained professional nine contains three 
distinct teams, which work together as a whole — that 
is, the battery," or team of pitcher and catcher, the 

^ basemen's team, and the outfield team. When nines 
are composed of men selected on the basis of this 
team principle, and not for their individual records, 
then we shall see better work done. 



GENERAL HINTS ON FIELDING. 

There is no habit fielders have that is more char- 
acteristic of school boys, or which leads to more un- 
pleasantness and ill-feeling in a match, than that of 
finding fault with those who commit errors of play 
in the field. Every man in the field tries to do his best 
for his own credit's sake, and if he fails, censure but 
adds to his chagrin without in the least improving his 
play; on the contrary, fault-finding is only calculated 
to make him play worse. In no game are the 
amenities of social life more necessary to a full enjoy- 
ment of the pastime than in base ball. Particularly 
acceptable are words of commendation^for good play, 
and remarks calculated to remove the annoyance aris- 
ing from errors in the field, to young ball players, and 
these form some of the strongest incentives to extra 



6o 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



exertion on their part, besides promoting kindly feel- 
ings on the field and during the game. We must 
enter our protest against the fault-finding, grumbling 
and snarling disposition which continually censures 
every failure to succeed, and barely tolerates any 
creditable effort that does not emanate from them- 
selves, or in v/hich they do not participate. Such 
men as these constitutional grumblers are the nuis- 
ances of a ball field, and destroy all the pleasure 
which would otherwise result from the game. Every 
manly player will keep silent when he sees an error 
committed, or if he makes any remark at all, will 
apologize for it in some way. Those who find fault 
and growl at errors of play are of the class who pre- 
fer to gratify their malice and ill-temper at the ex- 
pense of the unlucky fielder who happens to " muff" 
a ball or two in a game. 

Fielders should remember that the captain of the 
nine is alone the spokesman of the party and the com- 
mander of the field. 

No outfielder should hold a ball a moment longer 
than it is necessary for him to handle it in throwing. 
In the infield, however, a ball can be sometimes held 
by the fielder with safety and advantage. 

Never stand still in your position simply because 
the ball happens to go in another direction than the 
position you occupy, but always be on the move to 
aid the other fielders, or to back them up. Activity 
in the field and judgment in being prompt in support 
is the characteristic of a first-class fielder. 



theIart of fielding. 



6i 



Play earnestly at all times, whether in an ordinary 
practice game or in a match. Get into the habit of 
doing your best on all occasions. It is invariably the 
mark of a vain and conceited ball player to walk on 
the field and play in a game as if he was conferring 
a favor by participating in the game; and pla3^ers 
who play with an air of indifference as to the result 
of the game, or who become despondent when the 
odds are against them, are no players for a first-class 
nine. 

Next to seeing a man field well, the most attractive 
thing is to see a player take things easy and good- 
naturedly. If you miss a fly ball, allow an import- 
ant ball to pass you, or fail to handle a ball in time 
on a base, nothing is more boyish than to vent your 
ill-temper on some one who may have balked you in 
catching it, or thrown it to you badly. Control your- 
self and take it smilingly, or if you lack the moral 
courage to do that, keep your mouth shut at least. 
Your good-natured fellows who play their best all 
the time, and yet take everything bad or good with a 
good-natured smile, are as desirable as companions on 
a ball field as your growlers are to be detested. 

When an error of play is committed do your best 
at once to remedy the evil by using your best efforts 
to get at the ball, either after missing it, letting it pass 
you, or failing to hold it. Some players after 
" muffing " a ball will walk after it like an ill-tem- 
pered, sulky ten-year-old. 



62 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



THROWING TO FIRST BASE. 

Throwing to first base to catch a runner napping 
was a frequent thing in the old days — now it is justly 
regarded as a play of only exceptional occurrence. 
Now and then there may be a pitcher who has a 
rare knack of dodging a runner out by a throw of 
this kind; but, as a general rule, no strategic pitcher 
will allow himself to be put out of pitching form by 
the efforts of a daring runner to induce him to throw 
to first base. The rule now is for the pitcher to 
trust to his strategic delivery to the bat to catch the 
runner at first base at fault, and this he does by 
causing the batsman to force him out at second. 
Under the new balk rule the pitcher finds it difficult 
to catch runners napping at first base unless he and 
the catcher have the signal business well arranged. 
In fact, the pitcher's efforts will in the main now be 
devoted to inducing the runner on first to go down 
to second, where sharp play between the pitcher and 
catcher will give better chances to throw out runners 
then than before. 



RUNNING BASES ON FLY CATCHES. 

We noticed in the play of the best base-running 
teams of 1884 that, when a long fly ball was hit to 
the outfield, runners on the bases held possession of 
their bases until the ball touched the hands of the 
fielder, and was either caught or dropped. Such 
runners never left their bases when the ball was hit, 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



63 



but stayed on them, ready to run on the catch or the 
drop. Runners who blundered in their work would 
invariably run iialfway down and stop and watch the 
ball, and, in case of a catch, they would thereby have 
an additional forty or fifty feet to run, besides gaining 
little or nothing if the ball was dropped. If at any 
time when they saw a high ball hit to the outfield, 
and under the impulse of the moment they left their 
base, they would promptly return to the base and 
wait until the catch was made. 



TEAM WORK IN FIELDING. 

We have before called attention to the marked 
difference between the field work of what we call a 
mere picked nine, viz., a nine composed of good 
players in their respective positions, but who are en- 
tirely new to each other's style of play — or, if not, 
are equally disqualified from doing team work by 
the uncongeniality of their dispositions, or from like 
causes — and a nine who work together as a whole 
with machine-like unity and effect, and who are a 
regular team in their trained method of playing into 
one another's hands for the benefit of the side. It is 
very evident that the importance of this difference is 
being realized more and more each season, and the 
result is that nines are being organized more on the 
sound basis of their doing team work than in accord- 
ance with the old plan of selecting mere picked 
nines. 



64 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



BACKING UP. 

Backing each other up is one great feature of the 
play of first-class basemen. Indeed, infield work can 
never be effectually attended to without it. Backing 
up is, in fact, an essential of successful fielding in 
every part of the diamond, but especially is it neces- 
sary in the infield. When the old method of fielding 
in vogue twenty years ago at Hoboken is remem- 
bered and contrasted with such fielding as was exhib- 
ited by the champion Providence team of 1884, one 
can readily see what a vast improvement has taken 
place, not only in fielding generally, but especially in 
base play. In the old times the only infielder who 
ever thought of backing up a companion was the 
short stop, and even he considered that his chief duty 
in this respect was to attend to the pitcher only. 
Base players of the olden time, with some rare ex- 
ceptions, never thought of leaving their positions to 
field a ball, or to assist in fielding it, which went to 
any position save their own, hence base running was 
done in that time which yielded bases such as could 
not be run now in any of our nines. One special 
feature of the best team work in fielding during the 
season of 1884 was the effective play shown in 
"backing up" one another. This involved, of course, 
some extra field work, but the advantages accruing 
from it more than compensated for the additional 
labor. It worked in this way : The ball was pitched 
to the bat; it was hit to the infield in such a way as 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



65 



to necessitate sharp handling in picking up the ball 
in time to get it to the base. Promptly on the hit 
being made, the pitcher and catcher ran behind the 
first base to stop the ball in case of a wide throw. 
Perhaps five times out of six this backing up was not 
actually needed; but it was there the important sixth 
time, with the result of two or three bases saved, if 
not a base runner put out. This system, carried out 
in all tlie positions, not only inspires confidence in 
fielders obliged to throw quickly, but it deters base 
runnin<^, and keeps runners from taking risks to 
reach bases they would otherwise attempt. Besides 
which, it gives confidence to the field by making 
their work more that of a trained team than of a 
mere picked nine. 

Every base player shoukl be active in ''backing 
up" in the infield. The life of fielding is in the sup- 
port afforded each other by the fieklers who are 
located near together. A good fielder or base player 
never stands still; he is aUvays on the move, ready 
for a spring to reach the ball, a stoop to pick it up, 
or a prompt movement to stop it, and he always has 
his eye upon the ball, especially wlien it is flying 
about inside the base lines, or from base to base. 
Poor base players seldom put themselves out of the 
way to field a ball unless it comes within their special 
district, but a good base player is on the alert to play 
at a moment's notice, on any base from which the 
player has gone nfter the ball. When bases are va- 
cated, or foul or fly balls are struck, all the base play- 
5 



66 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



ers should handle the ball in the same way as the 
first base player does in putting out the batsman or 
running to first base. 



CAPTAINING A TEAM. 

"Who shall we have to captain the nine?" was the 
general query at the meetings of club-stockholders 
when the teams of 1884 were being organized; and 
the practical answer made to the question was one 
which had an important bearing on the welfare and 
success of each team during the season's campaign. 
" Let the men select their own captain," was one 
response; "The manager had better appoint the 
captain," was another; while in a third case the lead- 
ing official of the club took upon himself the respon- 
sibility of appointing the captain. The difficulty in the 
way of either one or the other of these plans succeed- 
ing was the fact that in too many cases there was no 
man in the team competent to fill the bill properly. 
If one of the players from among whom the captain 
had to be selected was found able to act as captain 
from his knowledge of the rules of the game and of 
points of play, he was also generally found to be de- 
ficient in other and equally essential qualifications for 
the position — that is, he either lacked the power to 
control his team by possessing their confidence and 
respect, or he had not the requisite coolness and 
nerve in trying positions in a match; or he needed 
that important essential, a control of temper. Hence 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



the captaincy of teams, in many instances, fell 
hands unfitted for the duties devolving upon the 
tion. To be able to captain a first-class professiv. 
nine properly is to do something scarcely one pla3^t. 
out of fifty can do. Let us glance for a moment at 
the qualifications necessary in a first-rate captain of a 
nine, and then w^e can judge better w^hether the club- 
team about selecting a captain possesses any player 
competent to till the ofiice, even acceptably. No po- 
sition in a professional nine requires such marked and 
peculiar abilities as that of a first-class captain. One 
of the most important requisites is thorough control 
of temper — without that, all the other essentials w^ill 
be practically useless; for of w^hat avail are familiar- 
ity with the points of play, or even a thorough knowl- 
edge of the rules of the game and of strategy, if the 
judgment is to be warped and marred by an un- 
curbed temper? Then, again, a model captain has a 
quiet way of doing his work, and a happy faculty of 
commanding obedience from his men, which tells 
with great effect; while an ordinary, commonplace 
captain simply uses his power in a way that only ir- 
ritates and annoys his men, and draws from them but 
a sullen and reluctant obedience, at best. There is a 
vast difference in the quality of the field-work done 
by a team who only obey their captain because the 
penalty of disobedience is a forfeiture of salary, and 
that prompt assent to the captain's plans and opinions 
in the field-play of the team which respect and esteem 
for the officer in power alone exact. The possession 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



oower to control players is something which 
3ts a man to show his true disposition when 
least expects it; and just here, in this one 
^mg, comes in a test as to whether this, that or 
the other man is fitted to act as captain. Look at 
a regiment of soldiers with its ten captains, and 
note the difference in the actions of the companies 
under their command. While all are bound by army 
rules to a certain strict obedience to the commands of 
their captain, how differently are these commands 
obeyed! With one captain how prompt to each beck 
and call is every man in the ranks, while with another 
nothing but the letter of the law is obeyed. Just so 
is it in the captaincy of professional nines; and hence 
it is that so much importance is attached to the selec- 
tion of the captain. Of course, when you have a 
manager who, to a certain extent, practically per- 
forms many of the duties of field-captain, the nominal 
captain becomes the mere vehicle for carrying out 
the behests of the man really at the head. But in 
cases where the manager is not sufficiently posted to 
interfere with the field-work in a match, then the 
selection of the captain becomes a very important 
matter. 

A captain of a professional nine the moment he , 
accepts the responsibility of the position should make 
all realize the fact that he alone is captain, and not 
allow himself to be dictated to or interfered with 
either by influential members, ambitious directors, or 
officious presidents. To listen to their advice or sug- 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 



69 



gestions is one thing. But to be requested to do this 
or that against his own convictions is altogether a 
different thing. 

There is another thing to be taken into consideration 
in selecting the team captain, and that is to let your 
choice be guided by the ability a certain player pos- 
sesses for ruling his men by showing that he takes an 
interest in their personal welfare; to that extent, in 
fact, that it is a pleasure to him to see them excel in 
their work. It is only this that will elicit that will- 
ing obedience which yields the best returns. It 
should be borne in mind that no player can captain a 
nine without giving umbrage to his men in some way 
or other; the exigencies of the game involve the com- 
mission of errors of one kind or another to an extent 
that will give rise to censure, perhaps unjust rebuke, 
too, at times; but when this censure comes from a 
captain who is known to do his best for his men, it 
only temporarily annoys, and frequently is silently 
passed by. Not so when an arbitrarj^, hot-tempered 
captain has control ; then the natural result is an effort 
of his men to "get square with him," even at 
the cost of some point in the game being lost; and 
with this follows that feeling of ill-will and discord 
which is death alike to discipline and effective play. 

One thing is very essential to look out for in or- 
ganizing a team and selecting a captain, and that is 
to see that there be no rivals for the oflice in the 
ranks. In other words, avoid having ex-captains or 
ex-managers in your team ; or if this cannot be avoided, 



yo 



THE ART OF FIET.DING. 



see to it that no loop-hole be left for the ambitious 
hopes of preferment by the ex-captain or manager in 
the team who has been obliged to accept a subordi- 
nate position. Another important matter for consider- 
ation is that the player selecred for captain should 
possess determination of cliaracter. An effective cap- 
tain must know no such word as vacillation. The 
captain who hesitates is lost. Let him be a man who, 
after once having decided, aVjides by that decision; 
not, of course, with that mule-like obstinacy which 
admits of no advice or instruction, but with that 
prompt determination which marks a man of strong 
character. 

Still one more point, and we have done with our 
model captain. While it is, of course, proper that 
the captain should be held to a due responsibiliy for 
the conduct of his men on the field — the club-mana- 
ger should attend to them off the field— this should 
only be done when he is given full power to act, and 
not when he is made only nominally captain through 
the interference of the manager, or some club official, 
or stockholder, who, by his petting of one or more 
men of the team, practically nullifies the orders of the 
captain. To place a man in command of a nine and 
then allow this, that or the other club official to in- 
struct players what to do in the field, or to insist upon 
the men being placed or appointed to their respective 
positions in opposition to the captain's wishes, at the 
same time holding the captain responsible for the 
faulty play of so badly governed a team, is a gross 



THE ART OF FIELDING. 7 1 



act of injustice. The fact is, no club team can be 
successfully organized or properly run while the club 
board of directors or any other club officials are 
allowed to interfere outside the line of their special 
duties. The club manager finds his duties confined 
to the disbursement of expenses, the collection of 
receipts, and the looking-after the general welfare of 
the team, an(^, in fact, "running the team " outside 
of the field, while the captain runs the team on the 
field, and there only. Now, it will be readily seen 
that the requisites alluded to above are such as but 
few players possess. 

The captain of a nine should give all his in- 
structions to players quietly, and especially should rep- 
rimands be avoided on the field before the public. No 
plaj^er likes censure at any time, but he will bear it 
patiently when deserved, and profit by it, too, but not 
unless it is done quietly, and to himself. Captains 
should especially bear in mind the important fact that 
fielding errors carry with them their own punishment, 
and that openly censuring a man for muffing a ball or 
failing to throw accurately is the very worst plan for 
preventing its repetition. A fielder will do his best 
for his own sake, and no amount of censure will im- 
prove him if he does not. If a fielder errs in a point 
of play, or in his interpretation of a rule, that is dif- 
ferent; but if he muflfs a ball, fails to catch it, or 
throws wildly, such errors had best be passed by in 
silence, or censure be kept back until the player can 
be rebuked in private. 



73 



THE ART OF BASE RUNNING. 



In choosing a captain, avoid both the man who has 
no self-control, is quick of temper, dictatorial in his 
manner, and too fond of having this and that done 
simply because it is his desire that it should be so ; 
and also the man who is easily influenced, possesses 
no determination of character, is afraid of censure, 
and who is too desirous of pleasing friends to act for 
the best interests of his club. 

Some men command the best services of those who 
are under their control by a happy faculty of combin- 
ing a kindly interest and pleasant way in dealing 
with subordinates, with a determination of character 
which admits of no disobedience when a request is 
earnestly made. To do this is an essential in the 
qualifications of the captain of a nine. Your arbitrary 
martinets command only a discontented obedience 
from their men; there is no heart-service in their 
work, and this latter is especially necessary in a well- 
organized nine. To get a professional nine into good 
working condition, so as to develop all the strong 
points of the individual players, and at the same time 
train them up to work as a harmonious whole, is a 
task requiring sound judgment and that determined 
spirit which overcomes all obstacles by the mere 
strength of steady perseverance in the right cause. 

THE ART OF BASE RUNNING. 

Each season's experience only shows more and 
more the fact that good base running is one of the 



THE ART OF BASE RUNNING. 



73 



most important essentials of success in winning games. 
Effective pitching is a great aid to success, so is skill- 
ful batting; but it is equally as necessary to a suc- 
cessful issue of a contest after a base has been ob- 
■ tained by a good hit, that other bases should be 
secured by skillful running of bases. It is a difficult 
task to get to first base safely in the f^ice of the effect- 
ual fire from a first-class club "battery," backed 'up 
by good support in the field; but it is still more diffi- 
cult when the base is safely reached, to secure the 
other three bases. The fact is, a greater degree of 
intelligence is required in the player who would excel 
in base running than is needed either in fielding or in 
batting. Any soft-brained heavy weight can occa. 
sionally hit a ball for a home run, but it requires a 
shrewd, intelligent player, with his wits about him^ 
to make a successful base runner. Indeed, base run- 
ning is the most difficult work a player has to do in 
the game. To cover infield positions properly, a de- 
gree of intelligence in the players is required which 
the majority do not as a general rule possess; but to 
excel in base running such mental qualifications are 
required as only a small minority are found to possess. 
Presence of mind, prompt action on the spur of the 
moment; quickness of perception, and coolness and 
nerve are among the requisites of a successful base 
runner. Players habitually accustomed to hesitate to 
do this, that or the other, in attending to the varied 
points of a game, can never become good base run- 
ners. There is so little time allowed to judge of the 



74 



THE ART OF BASE RUNNING. 



situation that prompt action becomes a necessity with 
the base runner. He must "hurry up" all the time. 
Then, too, he must be daring in taking risks, while at 
the same time avoiding recklessness in his running. 
Though fast running is an important aid in base run- 
ning, a fast runner who lacks judgment, coohiess, and, 
in £act, "headwork" in his running, will not equal a 
poor runner who possesses the nerve and intelligence 
required for the work. The great point in the art of 
base running is to know when to start, and to start 
promptly when the favorable opportunity is offered. 
One difficulty a base runner, trying to steal to second, 
invariably encounters, is his having to watch either 
the pitcher or catcher closely. He cannot watch 
both carefully, and therefore he must mak^his selec- 
tion as to which player he will look after. If the 
catcher is an accurate and swift thrower to the bases, 
he is the man to be attended to. But if the pitcher is 
one who has a method of delivery which includes a 
number of special movements which occupy more 
than the ordinary time in delivering the ball, then he 
is the man to watch, for he will surely afford the run- 
ner the required opportunity to steal a base or to 
secure a balk, if the runner only plays his part prop- 
erly. A sharp base runner can bother a pitcher ex- 
ceedingly by skillful dodging. It requires no small 
amount of nerve and coolness for a pitcher to watch 
a runner closely, and yet to play the strategical points 
of his pitching with full effect. 

For many years past, season after season, have we 



THE ART OF BASE RUNNING, 



75 



endeavored to impress upon the professional fraternity 
the importance of skillful base running in winning 
matches, as well as to show them the many fine 
points that were capable of being developed in first 
class base running. Judging from the fact that the 
finest base running ever witnessed in the professional 
arena was exhibited during the season of 1S84, the 
indications are that the lessons that have been taught 
have at last yielded fruit. With all the skill shown last 
season in this special department of the game, there 
are yet some things to be learned. Experience is fre- 
quently a good teacher, but her lessons are costly at 
times. There are players, however, who will not 
derive their knowledge of how to play the points of the 
game well from any other source, and hence it is that 
years have been required to develop a degree of skill 
in base play and base running which miglit otherwise 
have been attained in a single season or two. 

POINTS OF PLAY IN BASE RUNNING. 

The moment a batsman hits a ball he should run 
for first base with all his speed. He has no business 
to stop and see if the ball will be caught and fielded ; 
he should act at all times as if a chance was offered to 
reach first, and go for that base as fast as he can. 
Many a base has been lost by the refusal of the bats- 
man to run because he thought the hit ball would 
surely be caught, or be easily fielded to first base in 
time. He should never take either event as some- 



76 



THE ART OF BASE RUNNING. 



thing granted, but expect errors to aid him and act 
accordingly. 

In running down to second, when a runner is on 
third base, he should run in such a way as to invite 
a throw to second to cut him off, and then try to get 
the attention of the infielders fixed on his own move- 
ments so as to give the runner on third base a chance 
to get home. Of course in playing this point it must 
be done only when there is but one man out, unless 
the situation is such as to make a single run decisive 
in ending the contest, in which case his play will be 
to delay the putting out of himself between first and 
second until the runner on third crosses the home 
plate, or otherwise the run will not count. 

In running to first base the runner should be care- 
ful to avoid running in front of the base line, because 
that alone puts him out. It is always safe, too, to 
turn to the right after overrunning first base, unless 
the hit is very sure for m.ore than one base, as he can- 
not profit by the rule of exemption from being put out 
after overrunning the base if he turns to the left. 

In running bases on fly balls caught in the outfield, 
the moment such high ball is hit, and there is any 
chance of its being caught, he should hold the base 
he occupies, and in such a way as to be ready to start 
quickly for the next base the moment the ball is 
caught, and not run half way down first, only to have 
to return and touch the base he left after the ball is 
caught, before he can run to the next base. 

When two men are out, and a runner is on third, 



THE ART OF BASE RUNNING. 



77 



and the batted ball is being fielded to cut off a runner 
between first and second — not forced off — the runner 
on third should make the best time possible in run- 
ning home, so as to cross the plate before the other 
runner is put out, otherwise his run will not count. 



78 



THE BASE RUNNING RULES. 



THE BASE RUNMING RULES. 



Rule 52. The Batsman becomes a Base Runner. 
( I ) Instantly after he makes a Fair Hit. 

(2) Instantly after six Balls have been called by 
the Umpire. 

(3) Instantly after three Strikes have been de- 
clared by the Umpire. 

(4) Instantly after two " Foul Balks " have been 
declared by the Umpire. 

Rule 53. The Base Runner must touch each 
Base in 7'egular order ^ viz : First, Second, Third and 
Home Bases, and when obliged to return, must do so 
on the run, and must retouch the base or bases in 
reverse order. He shall only be considered as holding 
a base after touching it, and shall then be entitled to 
hold such base until he has legally touched the next 
base in order; or has been legally forced to vacate it 
for a succeeding Base Runner. 

Rule 5^. The Base Runner shall be entitled., 
without being fut out., to take one Base., provided he 
do so on the run., in the following cases : 

( I ) If, while he was Batsman, the Umpire 
called six Balls. 



THE BASE RUNNING RULES. 



79 



(3) If the Umpire awards a succeeding Batsman 
a base on six Balls and the Base Runner is thereby 
forced to vacate the base held by him. 

(3) If the Umpire calls a Balk. 

(4) If the Umpire calls two " Foul Balks." 

(5) If a ball delivered by the Pitcher pass the 
Catcher and touch any fence or building within 
ninety feet ot the Home Base. 

(6) If he be prevented from making a base by 
the obstruction of an adversary. 

(7) If a Fielder stop or catch a batted ball with 
his hat or any part of his dress. 

Rule 55. The Base Rimner shall return to his 
Base^ and shall be entitled to so return without be- 
ing put out, provided he does so on the run. 

( I ) If the Umpire declares a Foul Hit, and the 
ball be not legally caught by a Fielder. 

(3) If the Umpire declares a Foul Strike. 

(3) If the Umpire declares a Dead Ball, unless 
it be also the sixth Unfair Ball, and he be thereby 
forced to take the next base, as provided in Rule 54 

Rule ^6, The Base Runner shall not have a 
substitute run for him. 

Rule 57. The Base Runner is out : 
(i) If, after three strikes have been declared 
against him while Batsman, and the Catcher fails to 
catch the third-strike ball, he plainly attempts to 
hinder the Catcher from fielding the ball. 



8o 



THE BASE RUNNING RULES. 



(2) If, having made a Fair Hit while Batsman, 
such fair hit ball be momentarily held by a Fielder, be- 
fore touching the ground or any object other than a 
Fielder: Provided^^ It be not caught in a Fielder's 
hat or cap. 

(3) If, when the Umpire has declared three 
Strikes on him while Batsman, the third-strike ball 
be momentarily held by a Fielder before touching 
the ground: Provided^ It be not caught in a 
Fielder's hat or cap, or touch some other object than 
a Fielder before being caught. 

(4) If, after three Strikes or a Fair Hit, he 
be touched with the ball in the hand of a Fielder be- 
fore such Base Runner touches First Base. 

(5) If, after three Strikes or a Fair Hit the ball 
be securely held by a Fielder, while touching First 
Base with any part of his person, before such Base 
Runner touches First Base. 

(6) If, in running the last half of the distance from 
Home Base to First Base, he runs outside the 'Three 
Feet Lines, as defined in Rule 11, except that he 
must do so if necessary to avoid a Fielder attempting 
to field a batted ball, and in such case shall not be 
declared out. 

(7) If, in running from First to Second Base^ 
from Second to Third Base, or from Third to Home 
Base, he runs more than three feet from a direct line 
between such bases to avoid being touched by the ball 
in the hands of a Fielder; but in case a Fielder be occu- 
pying the Base Runner's proper path, attempting to 



THE BASE RUNNING RULES. 



8l 



field a batted ball, then the Base Runner shall run out 
of the path and behind said Fielder, and shall not 
be declared out for so doing. 

(8) If he fails to avoid a Fielder attempting to 
field a batted ball, in the manner prescribed in (6) and 
(7) of this Rule, or if he, in any way, obstructs 
a Fielder attempting to field a batted ball: P^'o- 
vided^ That if two or more Fielders attempt to field 
a batted ball, and the Base Runner comes in contact 
with one or more of them, the Umpire shall deter- 
mine which Fielder is entitled to the benefit of this 
Rule, and shall not decide the Base Runner out for 
coming in contact with any other Fielder. 

(9) If, at any time while the ball is in play, he be 
touched by the ball in the hands of a Fielder, unless 
some part of his person is touching a base he is 
entitled to occupy, provided the ball be held by 
the Fielder after touching him; but {^exceftion as to 
First Base ), in running to First Base, he may over- 
run said base w^ithout being put out for being off 
said base, after first touching it, provided he returns 
at once and retouches the base, after which he may be 
put out as at any other base. If, in overrunning First 
Base, he also attempts to run to Second Base, 
he shall forfeit snch exemption from being put out. 

(10) If, when a Fair or Foul Hit ball is legally 
caught by a Fielder, such ball is legally held 
by a Fielder on the base occupied by the Base 
Runner when such ball was struck (or the Base 
Runner be touched with the ball in the hands of a 



82 



THE BASE RUNNING RUEES. 



Fielder), before he retouches said base after such Fair 
or Foul Hit ball was so caught. Provided^ That 
the Base Runner shall not be out in such case, if, 
after the ball was legally caught as above, it be 
delivered to the bat by the Pitcher before the Fielder 
holds it on said base, or touches the Base Runner 
with it. 

(11) If, when a Batsman becomes a Base Runner 
(except as provided in Rule 5^), the First Base, or 
the First and Second Bases, or the First, Second and 
Third Bases, be occupied, any Base Runner so occu- 
pying a Base shall cease to be entitled to hold it, until 
any following Base Runner is put out, and may be 
put out at the next base or by being touched by the 
ball in the hands of a Fielder in the same manner as 
in running to First Base, at any time before any fol- 
lowing Base Runner is put out. 

(12) If a Fair Hit ball strike him, he shall be 
declared out and in such case no base shall be run 
unless forced, and no run be scored. 

(13) If when running to a base or forced to re- 
turn to a base, he fail to touch the intervening base 
or bases, if any, in the order prescribed in Rule 53, 
he may be put out at the base he fails to touch, or by 
being touched by the ball in the h^nd of a Fielder, 
in the same manner as in running to First Base. 
Provided^ That he shall not be declared out unless 
the Captain of the fielding side claim such decision 
before the ball is delivered to the bat by the Pitcher. 

(14) If, when the Umpire calls "Play" after any 



THE BASE RUNNING RULES. 



83 



suspension of a game, he fails to return to and touch 
the base he occupied when ''Time" was called before 
touching the next base. 

Rule 58. The Umfire shall decla7^e the Bars- 
man or Base Runner out^ without waiting for an ap- 
peal for such decision^ in all cases where such player 
is put out in accordance with these rules, except^ as 
provided in Rule 57, (10), (13) and (14). 

Rule jg. In case of a Foul Strike^ Fo7il Hit 
not legally caught flyings Bead Ball^ or Base Run- 
ner put out for being struck by a fair hit ball^ the 
ball shall not be considered in play until it is held by 
the Pitcher standing in his position. 

Rule 60. Whenever a. Block occurs^ the Umpire 
shall declare it, and Base Runners may run the bases 
without being put out, until after the ball has been 
returned to and held by the Pitcher standing in his 
position. 

Rule 61. One Run shall be scored every time a 
Base Runner, after having legally touched the first 
three bases, shall touch the Home Base before three 
men are put out. If the third man is forced out, or 
is put out before reaching First Base, a run shall not 
be scored. 



COMPLETE UNIFORMS. 

Our facilities for manufacturing Base Ball, Cricket, Lawr 
Tennis, and all kinds of athletic uniforms are the very best. This 
department is under the supervision of a practical tailor and 
shirt cutter, who is an expert in designing and cutting base ball 
and athletic uniforms. We would urge clubs not to make the 
mistake of intrusting the making of their uniforms to local 
dealers, whose experience in this kind of work is necessarily 
small, but send direct to us, and get a good, cheap, and satis- 
factory outfit. We make complete base ball uniforms at prices 
ranging from $5.00 to $30.00 per man. Measurement blanks 
sent free upon application. Send ten cents for samples ol 
flannel and belt webbing, and receive a handsome engraved 
fashion plate, showing the different styles and prices. At the 
following very low prices it is economy to order complete 
uniforms : 

Prices of Complete Uniforms. 

No. o. League Club outfit consisting of Pants and Shirt 
of extra heavy flannel, made expressly for our trade. 
Extra quality Stockings, Cap, Belt, Chicago Club 



Shoe, Steel Shoe Plates, and Necktie to match trim- 
mings. Price complete, each $15.00 

No. I. Outfit, first quality twilled flannel for Pants and 
Shirts, first quality Cap, best English Web Belt, first 
quality Stockings, Amateur Shoe, Steel Shoe Plates. 
Price complete, each 11.00 

*^o. 2. Outfit, second quality twilled flannel (same as 
most dealers put into their first quality uniform), 
second quality Cap, English Web Belt, second quality 
Stockings, Amateur Shoes, malleable iron Shoe Plates. 
Price complete, each 9.00 

No, 3. Outfit, third quality fiannel, third quality Cap, 
American Web Belt, third quality Stockings, Ama- 
teur Shoes, malleable iron Shoe Plates. Price com- 
plete, each. . * 7.00 

No. 4. Boy's uniform, fourth quality material, consist- 
ing of Shirt, Pants, Cap, Belt, Shoes and Shoe Piates 
complete, each , . 5.00 

Measurement blanks and Lithographic Fashion Plate 



showing different styles of uniforms, furnished upon application. 

A. G. SPALDING & BROS., 



108 Madison Street, 
CHICAGO. 



241 Broadway, 

NEW YOKK. 



BASE BAUL SHIRTS. 





FANCY SHIELD SHIRT. LACED SHIRT FRONT, 

No. 

0. Extra quality Shirt, of extra heavy flannel, 

made expressly for our League Club trade, Each. PerDoz^ 
any style, White, Blue or Gray $5 oo $54 oo 

1. Firstquality twilled flannel. White, Blue or Red 400 4200 

2. Second quality twilled flannel, White, Blue or 

Gray..., 325 3600 

3. Third quality, Shaker flannel, White only. ... 2 25 24 00 

4. Boys* size only, of fourth quality I 50 18 00 

To Measure for Shirt. — Size Collar»worn. Length of 

Sleeve, bent, from center of back. Size around Chest. Eength 
of Yoke from shoulder to shoulder. 

BASE BALL PANTS. 

No. Each. Dozen, 

0. Extra quality flannel Pants, 
White, Blue or Gray $5 00 $54 00 

1. First quality twilled flannel, 
White, Blue or Red 4 00 42 00 

2. Second quality twilled flannel. 
White, Blue or Gray 3 25 36 00 

3. Third quality , Shaker flannel. 
White only 225 2400 

To Measure for Pants. — Size around 
waist. Length of outside seam from waist to 
eight inches below the knee (for full length 
pants measure to the foot). Length of inside 
seam. Size around hips. 

A. G. SPALDING & BROS., 




108 Madison Street, 
CHICAGO. 



241 Broadway, 
NEW YORK. 



No. 



No. 



No, I. Ijeague Club Shoe. Same as used b^O^eagiie Clubs. Made 

Horsehide in the best manner. Price per pair $6.00 

No. 2. Chicago Club Shoe. Hxtra qualit}^ canvas, foxed with French 

calf. The Standard Screw Fastener is used. Price per pair. 4.00 



No. 



No. 3. No. 4. 

Amateur, or Practice Shoe. Good quality canvas, strap 

over instep. Price per pair $2 00 

No, 3X. Amateur Base Ball Shoe for Boys. Second quality canvas. 

Price per pair, , , ... , i 50 

4. Oxford Tie Base Ball Shoe. Low cut, canvas. Price per pair 2 00 

SPALDING'S SHOE PLATES. 

. — t Our new design League Steel Shoe 

Plate has become the favorite plate 
among- League players during the past 
season, and we have this year added it to 
our regular line of shoe plates. It is 
made by hand of the best quality English 
steel, and so tempered that it will not 
bend or break. The peculiar shape of 
the plate is shown in the adjoining cut. 
The majority of League players use this 
plate on the toe, and our No. i,or Pro- 
fessional Plate, on the heel. Each pair 
of plates — right and left — are put up with 
screws. p^j. p^j. 

Pair. Doz. 

Spalding's League Shoe Plate, $ 50 $5 00 
Spalding's Professional Shoe 
Plate, as shown in the adjoining 
cut, is made of first quality steel. 
It is lighter and smaller than the 
No. o plate, but will render good 
service. Each pair put up with 

screws, complete 25 2 «;cy 

No. 2. Spaldino-'s Malleable Iron Shoe 
Plate, light and durable, with 
screws 




Any of the above Shoe Plates mailed upon receipt of price. 

A. G. SPALDING & BROS., 



Address 



108 Madison Street, 
CHICAGO. 



241 Broadway, 
NEW YOfLK. 



BASE BALL CAPS AND HATS. 




No. II 



No. 13. 



No. 19. 



1st. qual. 2d 

No. I. League Parti -colored Cap $1200 

No. 3. Base Ball Hat, any color... iS 00 i 

No. 5. Base Ball Cap, Chicago style, any color, 

with or without stripes 9 00 

No. 7. Base Ball Cap, Boston shape, without star, 

any colors 9 00 

No. 7. Ditto, all white only 9 00 

No. II. Base Ball Cap, Jockey shape, any color. . 9 00 

No. II. Ditto, all white only , 9 00 

No. 13. Base Ball Cap, Boston shape, with star.. 9 00 

No. 19. Base Ball Skull Cap, any color 9 00 

No. 19. Ditto, white only g 00 

No. 21, College Base Ball Cap, any color 9 00 

No, 21. Ditto, white only 900 

Boys' Flannel Caps, per dozen 

Cotton Caps, Red, White, or Blue 

In addition to the styles above mentioned, we are preparad 
style of Cap known, and will furnish at prices cor'-esponding 

BAT BAGS. 



No. 21. 

qual. 3d qual. 



5 00 



6 GO 

6 00 
6 00 
6 00 

6 00 
6 00 
6 00 
6 00 
6 00 

$4 00 

3 00 

to make any 
to above. 



7 SO 
7 50 
7 50 
7 SO 
7 SO 
7 so 
7 SO 
7 SO 
7 SO 




No. o. League 
Club Bat Bag, made 
of sole leather, with 
name outside, to hold 
two dozen bats. Each 

$15 CO 

No. I. Canvas Bat Bag, leather ends, to hold two dozen bats $5 00 

No. 2. Canvas Bat Bag, leather ends, to hold one dozen bats 4 00 

No. 01. Spalding's new desisj^n, individual, sole leather Bat Bag for 

two bats, as used by the players of the Chicago club each, 4 00 

No. 02. Same size and style as above, made of strong canvas. . . '* i 50 

BASES. 

No. o. League Club Bases, made of extra 
canvas, stuffed and quilted com- 
plete, with straps and spikes, Avith- 
out home plate.. . .Per set of three $7 50 
No. I. Canvas Bases, with straps and 
spikes, complete without home 

plate 5 00 

Marble Home plate 3 00 

Iron " I 00 




SPALDING & BROS., 



108 Madison Street, 



241 Broadway, 
NEW YORK* 



J SPALDING'S BASE BALL BELTS— Worsted Web Belts. 

Our No. o, or League Club Belt is made of best Worsted Webbing-, 2^ 
inches wide, mounted in best manner, with large nickel plated buckle, the 
finest belt made. Our No. i belt is made of same webbing-, leather mounted. 
We use the following- colors of webbing. In ordering, please state the 
color wanted, and size around waist. 




Style G. 
H. 



Red, White Edge. 
Blue, 



Style A. Red. 
B. Blue. 
** C. Navy Blue. 
No. o. League Club Belt, of any of the above colors, nickel plated 

buckle as shown in above cut. Per Dozen $6.00 




No. I. Worsted Web Belt, same colors as above, mounted in leather, 
with two broad straps and buckles as shown in above cut. 
Per doz $4-50 

SPALDING'S COTTON WEB BELTS, 

Our Cotton Web Belts are made of best quality Cotton Webbing, in the 
following fast colors. In ordering please state color, and size around waist. 
Style L. Red. Style O. Blue, White Style R. Red and White, 

Edge. 

M. Blue. " P. Red, White " S. 

and Blue. 
Q. White. T. 



N. 



Red, White 
Edge. 



Narrow Stripe. 
Blue and White, 
Narrow Stripe. 
Yellow & Black, 
Wide Stripe. 



No. 3. Cotton Web Belts, any of above colors, large patent nickel. 

plated buckle. Per dozen $4.00 

No. 4. Cotton Web, Leather Mounted Per doz.$2.5o 

SPALDING'S BASE BALL STOCKINGS. pb:r doz. 

No. o. League Regulation, made of the finest worsted yarn. The 
following colors can be obtained; White, Light Blue, Navy Blue, 

Scarlet, Gray, Green, Old Gold, Brown $18.00 

No. I. Fine Quality Woolen Stockings, Scarlet, Blue or Brown. . .. 12.00 

No. 2. Good " " " " " " .... 9.00 
No. 3. Second *' " ^ or Blue, with White 

or drab cotton feet 6.00 

A. G. SPALDING & BROS., 



108 Madison Street, 
CHICAGO. 



241 Broadway, 

NEW YORK. 



Spalding's Trade-Marked Catcher's Mask. 



The first Catcher's Mask 
brought out in 1875, was a 
very heavy, clumsy affair, and 
it was not until we invented 
our open-eyed mask in 1877 
that it came into general use. 
Now it would be considered 
unsafe and even dangerous for 
a catcher to face the swift un- 
derhand throwing of the pres- 
ent day unless protected by a 
reliable mask. The increased 
demand for these goods has 
brought manufacturers into 
the field who, having no repu- 
tation to sustain, have vied 
with each other to see how 
cheap they could make a so- 
called mask, and in consequence have ignored the essential 
qualification, stre?igtk, A cheaply made, inferior quality of 
mask is much worse than no protection at all, for a broken 
wire or one that will not stand the force of the ball without 
caving in, is liable to disfigure a player for life. We would 
warn catchers not to trust their faces behind one of these cheap 
made masks. Our trade-marked masks are made of the very 
best hard wire, plated to prevent rusting, and well trimmed, 
and every one is a thorough face protector. We shall make 
them in three grades as described below, and with our increased 
facilities for manufacturing, are enabled to improve the quality, 
and at the same time reduce the price. 

Beware of counterfeits. None genuine without our Trade 
Mark stamped on each Mask. 

No. o. Spalding's Special League Mask, used by Each, 
all the leading professional catchers, extra 
heavy wire, well padded wath goat hair and the 
padding faced with the best imported dogskin, 
which is impervious to perspiration and retains 
its pliability and softness $3 00 

No. 2. Spalding's Amateur Mask, made the same 
size and general style as the League Mask, 
but with lighter wire and faced with leather, 
(we guarantee this mask to be superior to so- 
called professional Masks sold by other manu- 
facturers) 2 00 

No. 3. Spalding's Boy's Mask, similar to the Ama- 
teur Mask, only made smaller to fit a boy's 
face c I 75 

Jt^* Any of these Masks mailed postpaid on receipt of price. 




Spalding^s Trads-Wlarkod Catchers Gloves. 




Af ter considerable ex« 
]>ense and many experi- 
ments we have finally 
perfected a Catcher s 
Glove that meets with 
general favor from pro- 
fessional catchers. 

The ok. «tvie of open 
backed gloves intro- 
duced by us several 
years ago is still adhered 
to, but the quality of 
material and workman- 
ship has been materially 
improved, until now we can lay claim to having the best line 
of catcher's gloves on the market. These gloves do not inter- 
fere with throwing, can be easily put on and taken off, and no 
player subject to sore hands should be without a pair of these 
gloves. We make these gloves in four different grades, as 
follows : 

Price per Pair. 

No. GO. Spalding's Full Left-Haxd Catcher's 
Gloves, made of extra heavy Indian tanned 
buck, with full left-hand, usual style right 
hand, open backs and well padded, fully war- 
ran'ed. Best catcher's glove made $3 5 ) 

No o. Spalding's League Club Catcher's Gloves, 
made of extra heavy Indian tanned buck, and 
carefully selected with special reference to the 
hard service required of them, open back, well 
padded, and fully warranted 2 50 

No. I. Spalding's Professional Gloves, made of 
Indian tanned buckskin, open back, well 
padded, but not quite as heavy material as the 
No. o . . 2 00 

No. 2. Spalding's Amateur Gloves, made of lighter 
buckskin, open back, well padded and adapted 
for amateur players i 50 

No. 3. Spalding's Practice Gloves, made of light 

material, open back, well padded 1 00 

No. 4. Spalding's Boy's Gloves, open back, well 

padded, and made only in boy's sizes i 00 

5t^^ Any of the above Gloves mailed postpaid on receipt of 

price. In ordering, please give size of ordinary dress gloves 

usually worn. 

A. G. SPALDING & BROS., 

108 Madison Street, 241 Broadway, 

CHICAGO. YORK. 



MORTON'S 

PERFECT SUPPORTER. 

The best fitting, most comfortable and effective supporter 
yet devised. Made of best quality canton flannel, with laced 

front, cool and pleasant to wear. 
Prices each, 75 cents. 




ImproYed Supporter, 

Well known to Professional 
Ball Players. Price, Chamois 
Skin, $1.00. 




SPALDING'S AUTOMATIC UMPIRE INDICATOR. 

As the name implies, 
this little apparatus is in- 
tended for umpires of base 
ball matches, and is the 
best thing- of the kind ever 
brouf^ht out; in fact, it is 
the only really practical 
umpire's indicator, o r 
fifuide, on the market. The 
illustration, which repre- 
sents the exact size of the 
indicator, g-ives a good 
idea of its construction and 
mode of handling-. By 
touching- the spring at the 
top of the indicator the 
number of balls called 
from I to 6 or 7 are register- 
ed, and so remain until the 
spring- is touched again. 
The index hand upon the 
dial serves to record the 
number of strikes on the 
batter. It v/orks automat- 
ically, and can be carried 
in the palm of the hand 
unobserved by the specta- 
tors. It is recommended 
and is in general use by all 
the prominent League and 
Association umpires. It is 
neatly packed in a paste- 
board box, and ^ill be mail- 
ed to any address upon receipt of price. Price, 50 CelllS. 

A. G. SPALDING & BROS., 




108 Madison Street, 
CHICAGO, 



241 Broadway, 
NEW YORK, 



BRIGHT'S AUTOMATIC REGISTERING 
TURN STILE. 

Is acknowledg^ed to be 
the most reliable, dur- 
able and simple Turn 
Stile made. It is designed 
especially for Base Ball 
and Fair Grounds,Expo- 
sitions, etc., and is an 
almost indispensable as- 
sistant in making- a cor- 
rect division of receipts 
and avoiding- all possi- 
bility ot the gate-keep- 
er's appropriating any 
portion of them, by ac- 
curately counting and 
registering each person 
passing through it. 

The movement regis- 
ters from I to 10,000, and 
can easily and almost 
instantly be reversed to 
zero by any person hav- 
ing the key, without the 
necessity of removing from the Stile to which it is securely attached and 
locked. It is provided with all necessary stops, etc., to prevent its getting 
out of order through being handled by meddlesome persons, and is shipped 
complete and in readiness to be placed beside a doorway or other suitable 
entrance to inclosure, either permanent or temporary, and used without 
delay. 

They have been in use during the past season by the Cleveland and 
Philadelphia League Clubs and by all of the Clubs of the N. W. League, 
without an instance of failure or dissatisfaction, but have since been greatly 
improved by the addition of several valuable features, making it imquestion- 
ably the best adapted and most durable Turn Stile in the market. 

Orders from Base Ball Clubs should be sent in as early as possible, in- 
suring their being filled before the beginning of the season. 

Price complete $50 00 

GRAND STAND CUSHIONS FOR BASE 
BALL GROUNDS. 

The Chicago Club have for sev- 
eral seasons furnished cushions to 
ther patrons a!^ a nominal rental of 
5 cents per game. It is a feature 
highly appreciated by base ball 
spectators. We are now manu- 
facturing these cushions, and can 
supply them to clubs at 50 cents 
each. Special prices made when 
ordered in hundred lots, 

A. G, SPALDING & BROS., 





108 Madison Street, 
CHICAaO. 



241 Broadway, 
JSTEIW YOBK. 



SPALDING'S TRADE-MARKED BATS. 



These celebrated bats were first introduced in 1877, and they have 
gradually g-rown into popularity, until now they are used almost 
exclusively by all prominent professional and amateur players. 
All the timber used in these bats is allowed to season from one to 
two jears in the sun before being made up, and the result is we are 
enabled to make much lighter and stronger bats than where the timber 
is hastily "kiln-dried," "as done by nearly all manufacturers of cheap 
goods. Each bat is turned by hand, after the most approved and 
varied models, and if found to answer the requirements as to 
weight, size, length, etc.. the trade-mark is stamped on each bat to 
insure its genuineness. We point with much pride to the handsome 
testimonials given these bats by the leading batters of the country, 
as shown by their universal and continued use. 



No. 00. 



PRICES. 

SPALDING'S TRADE MARKED BATS. 

Each. 

Spalding's 2d Growth Ash, Black Band 
League Bat, Patent Granulated Han- 
dle 7SC 

Spalding's 2d Growth Ash, Black Band, 

League Bat, Plain Handle 75c 

Spalding's Trade Marked Ash Bat 40c 

" *♦ '* Cherry Bat.. 40c 

" ** ** Bass '* .. 30c 

*< " Willow *• .. 50c 

" Bov's ** Ash .. 30c 

*< '* '* Bass •* .. 25c 



To Clubs. 
Per doz. 



$S o 

750 
4 00 

4 00 
SO 

5 00 
3 00 
2 50 



" iB. 
3B. 

r SPALDING'S TRADE MARKED FANCY BATS. 

No. A. Spalding's Fancy Ash, Full Polished. . 60c $600 
u AA. ^' " " " and 

Patent Granulated Handle 75c 6 50 

'* B. Spalding's Fancv Bass, Full Polished.. 60c 600 
t« BB. " *• ' *' and 

Patent Granulated Handle 75c 650 



PLAIN FINISHED BATS. 

No. 6. Men's Ash Bats, plain finish, 36 to 40 in.. 25c $250 

" 7. " Bass " " 36 to 40 in.. 20c 200 

'« 8. Bov's Ash ♦* 2S to 34 in.. 15c 150 

<« 9. Bass 2S to 34 in.. iSc 150 
FANCY BATS. 

No. 10. Cherry Bats, oiled, selected timber 25c $2 50 

II. Ash Bats, one-half polished 30c 300 

« 12. Bass Bats, one-half polished 30c 3 00 

13. Ash Bats, full polished Soc 500 

14. Bass Bats, full'polished 50c 500 

" 15. Ash Bats, wound handles, plain S^c 5 00 

Bass Bats, wound handles, plain S^c 5 00 

Ash Bats, wound handles, highly polished 6oc 6 00 

Bass Bats, wound handles, highly polished 6oc 6 00 

Save express charges by sending money with order, thai we may send 
by freight. 

A. G. 

xo3 Madison Street, 



No. 16. 
17. 
iS. 



241 Broadway, 

NEW YORK. 



CHICAGO. 



No. 1. Spalding's Official L ague Ball. — As adopted by the Per 
National League and other prominent professional and Each, Doz. 
amateur associalions for 18S5, each ball wrapped in tin 
foil and put up in a separate box, and sealed in accord- 
ance with the latest Leag-ue regulations $1 50 $15 00 



No. lA. Spalding's Associati on Ball. — Made in accordance 
with the specifications of the American Association, 
each ball wrapped in tin foil and put up in a separate 
box and sealed. W' arranted to last a full game without 

ripping or losing its shape i 25 13 50 

No. 2. Spalding's Professi :nal DeadBall, white. — The best 
dead ball made, covered with selected horsehide. 
Every ball warranted to last a game of nine innings.. . i 25 12 00 
No. 2K.. Spalding's Professional Dead Ball, red. — Same as 

No. 2, only colored red I 25 12 00 

No, 3. Spalding's Amateur Dead Ball, white. — Covered 
with horsehide, and especially adapted for practice 

games. Every ball wrrranted 100 900 

No 3 R. Spalding's Amateur Dead Ball, red. — Same as 

No. 3, only colored red , i 00 9 00 

No. XX. Spalding's Amateur Liively Ball, white. — Cov- 
ered with horsehide. To meet the growing demand for 
a good lively ball, at a medium price, we have this sea- 
son added this grade 100 900 

No. 4. Spalding's American Olub Ball, white. — Covered 
with horsehide. A good serviceable ball, and especially 

adapted for boys* match games 75 7 50 

No. 5. Spalding's King of the Diamond Ball, white -Cov- 
ered with horsehide, regulation size and weight. A 

good ball for catching and throwing 50 5 00 

No. 6. Spalding's Grand Duke Ball, white. — Covered with 

horsehide, regulation size and weight 35 3 5^ 

No. 7. Spalding's Boys* Favorite, white. — Regulation size 

and weight. A good boys' ball 25 250 

No. 8. Spalding's Eureka Ball, white. — A trifle under the 
regulation size and weight. The best cheap ball for 

the money on the market 20 2 00 

No, 9. Spalding's Rattler Ball, white. — Size, 8fg inches; 

weight, 4^ oz. The best and largest IOC. ball made. . . 10 100 
No. 11. Spalding's Nickel Ball.— Size, 75^ in , weight, 3 oz. 
Packed one dozen in a box, half all red, half all white. 
The best juvenile 5c. ball on the market 5 50 



Spalding's Sample Case of Balls. — Containing one each of the above balls, 
packed in a handsome partition case, suitable for traveling salesmen 
or show windows. Special prices m-ede to dealers. 
Any of the above balls mailed postpaid upon receipt of price 

Address, A. G. SPALDING & BROS., 
108 Madison St., CHICAGO. 241 Broadway, NEW YORK. 



THE OFFICIAL LEAGUE BALL FOR 1885. . 

** Spalding"'s Leagaie Ball '* enjoys the very hig-hest reputation among' 
the base ball players of America, as evinced by the fact that over a quarter 
million of these balls have been sold during- the past six years. In every 
championship g-ame played by League Clubs during this time, this 
ball has been used, and has g-iven such universal satisfaction that it was 
unanimously adopted by the National League as the official ball for 1SS5, 
also by the North -Western League, American College Association, New 
England League, New York State League, Western College Association, 
and many others. This ball is made of the best materials, in accordance 
with the latest League requirements, and every ball warranted to last a 
game of nine innings without ripping or losing its shape. Beware of 
Cheap Imitations, and see that the seal around the box has not been 
ampered with. None genuine without our trade-mark on each box and 
ball. 




No. I. SPALDING'S OFFICIAL LEAGUE BALL, as adopted 
by the National League, and other prominent Associations for 
1885; each ball wrapped in tin foil, and in a separate box, and 
sealed in accordance with the latest League regulations 

Each, $1.50; per doz., $15 00 

Mailed postpaid upon receipt of price. Clube ordering dozen balls 

at one time are entitled to our dozen rates. For prices on cheaper grade of 

balls see previous page. Address, 

A. G. SPALDING & BROS., Manfr's, 
IO8 Madison Street, 241 Broadway, 

CHICAGO. NEW YORK. 



« 



SPALDING'S HAND BOOKS' 



T^e Art of Base Ball Batting, 

CONTAINING SPECIAL CHAPTERS ON 

SCIENTIFIC BATTING, FACING FOR POSITION, PLACING THE 
BALL, SACRIFICE HITTING, WAITING FOR BALLS, THE 
BATSMAN'S POSITION, STANDING IN GOOD FORM, 
FUNGO BATTING, HOME RUN HITTING, BASE 
HITS AND EARNED RUNS, THE NEW 
BATTING RULES, ETC., ETC. 

By henry CHADWICK, 

Base Ball Editor New York Clipper^ Author of Roiitledge\s Book of Ameri- 
ca?i Sp07'ts, a?td of Hand Books oj Games ^ Etc, 



CHICAGO AND NEW YORK : 

Published by SPALDING BROS., io8 Madison St., Chicago, 
241 Broadway, New York. 

The Art of Pitching, 

A work containing" instructive chapters on all the latest points 
of play in Base Ball Pitching, including 

SPECIAL METHODS OF DELIVERY, THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE 
CURVE, THE TACTICS OF A STRATEGIST, HEADWORK IN 
PITCHING, THE EFFECTS OF SPEED, THROWING TO BASES, 
BALKING UNDER THE NEW RULES, THE NEW 
RULES FOR PITCHING AND THE APPLICA- 
TION, BATTERY WORK, ETC., ETC. 

By henry CHADWICK, 

Base Ball Editor The Nevj Tork Clipper^ Author of Routledge's Book of 
American Sports^ and of Hand Books of Games ^ Etc. 

PRICE, 10 CENTS. WILL BE READY APRIL 1. 



A. G. SPALDING & BROS., 

241 Broadway, N. Y. 108 Madison St., CHICAGO. 

(copyrighted.) 



4 




108 MADISON STREET, CHICAGO. 
241 Broadway, New York. 




A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

2dl BROADWAY, - - NEW YORK. 
t08 Madison Street, Ch icago. 



i 



